Pankaj lifts the Asian Billiard's trophy; Hossein wins the Asian U-21 Snooker

07 April 2012

On the day of resurrection here at the Clube Tennis De Gaspar Dias Miramar, Goa in the 11^th ONGC Asian Billiards Championship, six times world billiards champion Pankaj Advani from India, after a brief hiatus of one year from the Asian scene, once again realized his true potential even as he outclassed Thawat Sujaritthurakarn from Thailand in the best of 11 games final.

Although Pankaj was the one who started the proceedings on a positive note by winning the opening game, It was Thawat who actually impressed in the initial stages of the match as he by taking the second and third games secured a 2-1 lead. Having won the second, Thawat showed that not only is he a very capable player, but also has an intelligent head over his shoulders. Employing an credible strategy to keep Pankaj away from the table for as long as he could, Thawat played the white in-off method of scoring repeatedly and double baulked whenever the opportunity arose.

That the 26 year old Indian cueist, Pankaj is a total package for the cynosures of the game, a fact amply proved, and displayed by the Indian champion in this match. Under a little pressure when trailing by 1-2 Pankaj flowered at this juncture, to touch  peak level of concentration, the rest of the requirements needed for a top class game just falling automatically into place.

Stroking the balls to a nicety, Pankaj compiled an unbeaten century break to take the fourth game and restore parity at 2-2. Continuing in full flow, Pankaj notched up a 73 break to win the fifth game leaving Thawat stranded once again on 0.

Showing no remorse, Pankaj just went about his job of scoring in a fluent manner with clinical efficiency, to record another unbeaten century break on way to pocketing the sixth game. A totally distraught Thawat could not take any advantage, whatsoever of possible one cushion regulation cannon, which was very much required, even to have a semblance of a chance to make a comeback after Pankaj had begun the seventh game. Pankaj in trying to score a cannon got a yellow pot instead. Following on the stroke, Pankaj promptly double baulked. This ploy enabled Pankaj eventually to notch up a break of 98 and stretch the lead to 5-2.

However, Thawat did show a flash of promise as he compiled a century break to get one back, to trail by 3-5, but that was the distance he could cover. Pankaj stamped his authority  on the rather one sided match, with a splendid century break in the ninth game to win the game, match and championship title with consummate ease.

True to expectations reigning IBSF World Snooker Champion, Hossein Vafaei Ayouri from Iran gave a lesson or two to Anda Zhang from China in the best of 11 frames final of 13^th ONGC Asian Under-21 Snooker Championship 2012 inflicting a crushing 6-2 defeat. Articulate in manner, methodical in approach and having the benefit of the scientific tutelage of seasoned coach, Manoj Kothari, there was no way that there would be any chance for Anda Zhang, as per the opinion of the experts of the 22 balls game. Hossein began with the bang compiling a break of 79 for the first frame. Hardly giving any chance in the next couple of frames inclusive of a break of 74 in the third, Hossein established a good 3-0 lead.

Accentuating his vice like grip over the Chinese cueist, Hossein produced a classic century break of 105 which had the appreciative audience in a frenzy to increase his lead to 4-0 and when another noteworthy break of 67 flowed from the cue of Hossein, Zhang’s cup of woe was full to the brim.

For once appearing human, Hossein committed a couple of errors giving a good chance to Zhang in the sixth frame. Zhang in a collective effort of 62 was able to at last take one frame off from Hossein. When Zhang went on to pocket the seventh frame against the run of play with Hossein lapsing into errors once again, it seemed as if there would be a good fight on the cards. Nevertheless, leading the 5-2 at this stage, Hossein deepened his level of concentration to wipe away any further opposition from Zhang and more. Hossein won the eighth frame with a degree of comfort in the end, as the curtain dropped on the week long Asian Billiards & Under-21 Snooker extravaganza.