Philippines v Chinese Taipei
What a start to the day! Our first match did not disappoint. Johann Chua and James Aranas came out on fire! They were 6/0 up so quick it was hard to believe. The Ko brothers started to chip away and split the next 4 racks, 2/2 but that put the Philippines team on the hill. Chinese Taipei took over from there, with no more lives, they clawed their way back slowly but surely, with great shotmaking and position play, they slowly closed the gap and soon it was 8/8!! Ko Ping Chung broke and made the one, but Ping Yi missed the 2, letting Chua back to the table. With everything on the line, they didn’t disappoint, and with beautiful precision, ran out the last rack to win. Incredible match!
Germany vs Poland
It’s a great match that could go either way, but I have Poland edging out Germany, it all depends on Moritz play. If he can play as well as he is capable and hold his nerves, Poland may not get the opportunities they need. The match starts with a split 1/1 and then Poland took rack 3. No mistakes right away. Rack 4 starts with a good break from Konrad, but they have to roll out as 2 is covered. Konrad looks very good, took on a tough 2 and it was perfectly in the heart! Poland rolled through the next few racks, not giving up anything to Germany. With the score 5/1, Wictor left it a little funny for Konrad on the 8, and somehow while attmepting the bank has found a safety. Poland getting the run of the balls at the moment, but it did turn around as Germany stays patient and will take another game getting to 5/2. Poland with 2 of the next 3, are really cruising and shooting well. They move it out to 7/3. Not much Germany can do if they don’t get to the table. Wictor scratched on the next break, and that was all the opportunity they need, rack after rack they got it back to level at 7/7. Poland had looks at the table, but all from poor positions. Germany first to the hill, and Poland has a chance to level it, but a missed bank brought Germany back to the table and they were able to finish it off! 9/7. Wow.
Austria v Great Britain
Neither team played great, but Austria did enough to win. Great Britain just couldn’t put it together and the chemistry between Sanderson and Shaw seemed strained. They may be good with each other and feel that all was well, and I hope that’s the case, but from the outside, there wasn’t a lot of in-team support. They talked a bit, but mostly seemed to just try not to say anything. It was a very awkward match. Austria wins 8/4 and will have to pick it up considerably if they expect to get to the final.
Side Note:
(and that completely busts my bracket. only Austria made the final four out of my picks, so all the rest are wrong picks, still finished with 20 correct and only 11 wrong? A lot better than I thought I was going to do.)
Japan v China
Even start, struggles on the breaks. 2/2. This match will pivot on Wang Can’s play and he is looking strong today. Still early though. Wu has such a stong cue. Great to watch. It does seem like the pressure has switched, as Wu seems to be struggling a bit. He has missed a couple of shots fairly early in this match. Japan isn’t making them pay though. Both teams struggling in rack 5. Oi made a great pot on the 6 to break out the 8/9 but hooked his partner on the 7. Jump Cue out and down it goes. Japan ties it up at 3/3. It’s been a scrappy match so far. 4/3 China. It wasn’t the cleanest of matches, but China keeps winning and will advance on the day 9/5 past Japan. Wu was not at his best, but fortunately, Wang Can stepped up and delivered a great performance
Tomorrow it will be the Philippines v Austria and Germany v China. The Philippines has to be the favourite here, but Austria has won recently and Mario He and Albin Ouschan are strong players who can turn it up at any moment. Germany played well, but China struggled, Wu stumbled in the last match just a little bit, but Wang Can stepped up to carry them through. Final prediction? Philippines vs Germany.
Thanks to all the teams and Matchroom, we appreciate these events!