Aggressive Vahedi shocks Advani
abu dhabi — Iran’s Soheil Vahedi’s warlike exploits in the finals of the Asian Snooker 6-Reds Teams Championship startled top Indian cueist Pankaj Advani.
Even the UAE referee Saleh Alblooshi was heard asking the Iranian the reason for such aggressiveness when the game was almost won half-way through the decider at Novotel Al Bustan Hotel on Thursday night. The reply was just a pat and nothing else. Iran went on to clinch the final 3-2.
Defending champion Vahedi was going for the long pots with unbelievable confidence and was on the move for next ball even before potting the first one. He made good use of the cue extender to hurtle some powerful shots and raise thunderous sounds, thus wreaking mental havoc.
The Iranian destroyed the safety tactics deployed by the Indians. And Advani and Co were left wondering what hit them.
“Vahedi went for it and he got all his shots. It’s an attacking game that doesn’t work every time. And when you pot balls like that you deserve to win,” Advani said in his first reaction on Vahedi’s game.
But after a long pause, he expressed his agony and helplessness. “Their strategy was to go on the offensive and it worked for them. At the end of the day, you got to play the right shots. I am not saying he played the wrong shots but he was so confident and got away with everything. Sometimes your opponent just outthinks you.”
However, ‘Tornado Vahedi’ differed in his views and felt it’s his ‘braveness’ that saw them through.
“I am always aggressive. This is the way I play and the only way I know how to play. You have to go for your shots. You have to test your ability and see if you can do it.”
On having to micromanage a team game alone as Amir Sarkhosh had lost both his close frames, Vahedi said: “We both made mistakes but I managed to pot some good ball. We have been playing together for 11 years and help each other in difficult times. We know how to match each other’s game.”
Vahedi was bubbling with confidence and before the finals said: “Let’s see if experience or ability wins this one. Once they give you a chance you have to finish it.” True to his words, the Iranian capitalised on each glory shot missed by the Indians.
Vahedi said it was the 54-7 decimation of Advani that boosted his confidence. “It was a lovely frame. I potted some good balls and added some game.”
Vahedi, however, was generous after the coronation and said: “On any other day they could have beaten us 3-nil in no time. This time it was close. This was our day.”
Semi-professionals from Iran retaining the title against the world’s best cueist adds credence to the ‘unpredictability factor’ that each player has associated 6-Red snooker with. Six-Red is sure to stay, grow and grab more eyeballs. level to my