John Higgins says he did not know Afghanistan had any tables – Snooker news
Reigning Crucible King John Higgins has said that he was not aware if Afghanistan had any snooker tables for the players.
John Higgins and Stephen Maguire, who are representing Scotland in the PTT-EGAT 2011 Snooker World Cup, are now only one match away to qualify for the quarter-final stage, as they have defeated the Afghanistan team consisting of Mohammad Saleh and Mohammad
Rais by a frame score of 4-1 at the Bangkok Convention Centre in Thailand.
The world number two, Higgins outplayed Rais in the opening frame and his teammate, Maguire, further extended the lead by posting a win over Saleh in the following second.
They also won the doubles frame to go in front at 3-0 before Saleh clawed back and stunned the four-time World Champion, Higgins, to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
Though Maguire won the last frame again, Higgins admitted he was shocked by the Afghani cueist.
The Wizard of Wishaw, Higgins, told the media he did not expect the Afghans to play that good. He said he thought Afghanistan does not even have any good tables but he was shocked when he saw them playing so good.
The 36-year-old Scot, Higgins, also claimed anyone who saw the match will agree with him.
While speaking on his inclusion, he said, “When I heard we were playing Afghanistan I didn't know they had any tables there but they certainly knew their way around the snooker table - you could see that straight away. Anyone watching back home could tell
they could play a bit.”
Higgins especially commented on the last frame which his teammate, Maguire, clinched on the final black ball. Higgins remarked it was a scrappy frame but he is delighted as Maguire held his nerves and was able to win it in the end.
“Stephen made a great clearance in the last to steal that frame (on the black) and we would've been really disappointed if it had finished 3-2,” said Higgins.
However, Higgins in the end added their aim was to qualify and they are only one step away from it now.
He said, “Our aim was to qualify first of all and we're one match away from doing that, added Higgins.”
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