Neil Robertson and Steve Mifsud qualify for quarterfinals at Thailand: 2011 World Cup Snooker
Australia became the third team to qualify for the quarter-final stage of 2011 World Cup Snooker when former world snooker champion Neil Robertson and an Australian amateur Steve Mifsud ousted United Arab Emirates in their last group match by 4-1 at the
Bangkok Convention Centre on Friday, July 16.
Neil Robertson was really pleased with the way they have performed in the event, and hopes to shine in the later stages of the competition as well.
UAE’s Mohammad Shehab and Mohammad Al Joker couldn’t get a chance to unsettle their opponents during the match. Only Shehab was able to grab a victory in one of his individual frames against Mifsud, which he won by 78-49. UAE, as a result of this defeat,
have dropped down to the number four spot in the group, while the Aussies clinched second spot with 13 points after four matches.
Former world snooker champion and world number three, Robertson was quite happy after the victory and appreciated his amateur partner, Mifsud, for his stunning performance during the match as well as the tournament.
Speaking to local media after reaching the quarter-finals, Robertson said, “At the start of the day we knew we needed three frames to force a play-off in the worst case so 4-1 was the result we wanted. Steve and I played perfectly for the first three frames,
Steve had a nervy one in the fourth and I had one in the fifth.”
He added, “We've played in the hardest group and it doesn't matter who we play now. We're going to enjoy the tournament and take what we can go into Bendigo. If we win three matches we win this tournament but we can't get too far ahead of ourselves and there
will be a lot of fantastic teams that get to the quarter-finals.”
The real test for all the top snooker guns starts with the commencement of the quarter-finals at Bangkok Convention Centre on July 16. Australia will play their quarter-final against Wales in what will be a nail-biting encounter.
The Thunder from Down Under, Robertson is looking forward to face Mark Williams and Matthew Stevens, both on top of their games and favourites to win the competition.
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