Naoyuki Oi and Hijikata Hayato
Japan became the first team through to the last eight of the 2017 12BET World Cup of Pool as they enjoyed a comfortable win against Canada. There was also a second-round win for Finland as the USA closed out the first-round matches with a whitewash against Singapore.
Featuring 32 two-man teams from around the globe, the 12BET World Cup of Pool is into its 11th year as reigning champions Chinese Taipei attempt to become the first team ever to successfully defend the title at the York Hall.
The final first round match featured the American pair of Shane Van Boening and Skyler Woodward and they looked an excellent combination as they outplayed the Singaporean duo of Aloysius Yapp and Toh Lian Han. 7-0 was the final score – the fourth whitewash of the first round.
Commented Van Boening, “We played great and only made one mistake early on and we were able to take advantage of their mistakes. They didn’t perform well and they didn’t get the layouts on the table they would have wanted.
“I have played against Skyler in quite a few tournaments and he is a great player, which is why I decided to pick him as my partner.”
The second round started in earnest as Japan and Canada faced off in what was on paper a 50/50 match but it was Naoyuki Oi and Hijikata Hayato who were the better side. They lead throughout as Pagulayan and Morra could never catch up.
The final match of the evening saw Finland make their way to the quarter-finals as they beat a well-supported India 7-3. Raj Hundal and Amar Kang were a bit unlucky as they suffered an unlucky scratch off the break at a critical time and a few rolls went against them.
Finland though, looked a very solid unit, and a repeat of their 2012 victory in Manila, can’t be ruled out.
“We are happy to get over the hurdle but we had some trouble with a few dry breaks. Even though we were hitting the break pretty good it wasn’t opening for us,” said Immonen.
“We feel comfortable at the table and if we get the opening shot we are confident we can clear it every time. We have a little bit of a break now before the quarter-final, we will regroup and work on the break.”
Makkonen added, “We have played this event together as a pair for five or six years, we’ve won it together too. They chemistry between us is good.”
Play continues Friday afternoon with one three more second round matches:
Chinese Taipei v Poland
China v Germany
Russia v Austria
Broadcast for six days live on Sky Sports in the UK; the tournament is available live in over 100 countries around the world. A comprehensive list of countries and networks broadcasting the World Cup of Pool can be found here: http://www.matchroompool.com/world-cup-of-pool/#watchlive
The 12BET World Cup of Pool will carry a $250,000 prize fund including $60,000 for the champions. The event will be produced by Matchroom Sport Television and televised live on Sky Sports as well as other stations around the world.
12BET World Cup of Pool Tickets are on sale now at www.matchroompool.com priced at just £10.00 per evening session (Tuesday to Sunday) and £8.00 per weekend afternoon session. Tuesday to Friday afternoons are free. A season ticket covering all sessions is priced at £60.00.
2017 12BET World Cup of Pool is sponsored by Rasson Billiards who supplies the Official Table; the cloth is supplied by Iwan Simonis and the Official Balls are Super Aramith by Saluc. Predator is the Official Cue and Chalk of the event.
