Andy Lee from Hong Kong focuses on a shot during a toughly fought group match against Hossein Vafaei and Soheil Vahedi from Iran at the 2019 Snooker World Cup in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu Province, on June 28. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] |
Andy Lee and Kai Wai Cheung from Hong Kong booked the last of the quarter-finals berth in the 2019 Beverly Snooker World Cup in Wuxi, Jiangsu province on June 28 -- after a hard-won triumph over Iran 3-2, the latter ranked second in group B behind England.
The world No 121 Lee and amateur Cheung were in a tough group known as "the group of death". However, a surprise big 4-1 victory over Republic of Ireland in the penultimate game put them in the position to progress to the finals.
"To be honest, we didn't come with any hopes of qualifying really and it wasn't until yesterday's game that we realized we had a chance to qualify, and luckily you know, we managed to," Lee said.
The Hong Kong duo will face China A in tomorrow's quarter-finals.
As a pair who had partnered up for the first time, Lee admitted that the two made a great team.
Hossein Vafaei of Iran takes his best shot at the 2019 Snooker World Cup in Wuxi, in East China's Jiangsu Province, on June 28. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] |
On the other hand, Kyren Wilson and Jack Lisowski from England progressed to quarter-finals after beating Northern Ireland 3-2. They will face Thailand in the last eight.
Belgium finished top of group C thanks to a 3-2 win over Scotland. Both sides are assured of a quarter-final spot.
Both Wales and China B secured their progression to the quarter-finals with their performances. Wales will face Scotland in the quarter-finals, while China B will be up against Belgium.
Kyren Wilson from England takes his time before potting the ball, during a match against Mark Allen and Jordan Brown of Northern Ireland at the 2019 Snooker World Cup in Wuxi. [Photo/IC] |