India wins gold in ACBS Asian Snooker Team Championship

In the title clash where fortunes swung like a pendulum in the early part, Damani first up, and Advani later, kept the formidable Malaysian cueists at bay and helped India register a 3-1 triumph

Hyderabad: Multiple-time World champion Pankaj Advani, and Brijesh Damani dug deep into their reserves when the chips were down to help India regain the ACBS Asian Snooker Team Championship in Colombo on Saturday.

In the title clash where fortunes swung like a pendulum in the early part, Damani first up, and Advani later, kept the formidable Malaysian cueists at bay and helped India register a 3-1 triumph. For India, who last won two years ago in Iran, this was their fifth gold.

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Having been put through the wringer in the semifinals earlier in the morning by Hong Kong-1 (3-2), the Indians, without the injured Aditya Mehta (neck issue) for both the matches, came back recharged for the final.

Damani, who made a sizzling 33 clearance that took proportions of an 80-break in the decider against Hon Man Chau in the semis, seemed to carry that momentum into the title clash. Playing the first singles, he made a gritty 52 before an unlucky red in-off ended the break abruptly against Thor Chuan Leong.

Given a lifeline, Thor Chuan, winner of the Asian 6-red title three days ago, fought back in fine style, prevailing 68-58 with a run of 39, to put Malaysia ahead. Advani, who lost a rare frame in the semis against Kwok Wai Fung, brushed aside Lim Kok Leong to make it one-frame apiece.

In the doubles, after letting Malaysia take an early 33-1 lead, Damani punished Thor Chuan’s error with a brilliant frame-clinching break of 60 to put India just a win away from the title.

Advani then kept the dangerous Thor Chuan on a tight leash with his stunning safety play. He scored when he got the chance, had the crowd spellbound with some amazing potting, and resorted to safety when he lost position. Having taken a vice-like grip over the proceedings, it was just a matter of time before Thor Chuan threw in the towel.

REARGUARD ACTION

The title was the last thing on their mind when Hong Kong very nearly pulled off a Houdini act in the semis, taking a 3-1 lead and up 57-26 in the decider. Wai Fung, who won both his matches, looked on in disbelief as Man Chau missed a simple red pot to the top right-hand pocket with the tape in sight.

Given a lifeline, Damani, who was patchy till then, came up with a splendid 33 clearance under pressure to help India fall across the line.

Results: Final: India bt Malaysia 3-1 (Brijesh Damani lost to Thor Chuan Leong 58 (52) -68; Pankaj Advani bt Lim Kok Leong 66 (51) -25; Advani/ Damani bt Tir Chuan/ Lim Kok 76 (60) -33; 58-1).