China have won the 2011 PTT-EGAT Snooker World Cup after they defeated Northern Ireland in a thrilling final.
The Chinese duo of Ding Junhui and Liang Wenbo completed a 4-2 victory over the Irish pair of Mark Allen and Gerard Greene at the Bangkok Convention Centre.
This is the first time China have ever won the title and Ding was delighted with his side’s achievement.
“When the last World Cup was held (in 1996) I was nine and had only just picked up my first cue a few months before,” said Ding.
“We both played really well. We got off to a good start and were 3-0 ahead but in the fourth frame I missed a blue to make it 3-1. I had a good chance to win that frame and when we were 3-0 up I thought we would finish it in the fourth.
“We’re the best two players from China and I’m very proud of China and us to win the World Cup.
“You don’t get many chances to play in this tournament and this is the first time I’ve played in it but I hope I can play in this more times and win more times.
“Liang played very well and better than last season. Last year there was a lot of pressure on him but you need to understand he will come back and play better and better.”
Breaks of 84 and 46 helped China move into a 3-0 lead but a 115 from Greene in the fourth and 69 from Allen in the fifth made it 3-2 but Ding and Liang’s effort of 89 in the doubles saw them lift the trophy and collect the $200,000.
Allen believed it was always going to be difficult to recover from their poor start.
He said: “We were up against it from the start and in the first two frames China played flawless snooker. It was about digging in and staying in the match and we managed to win two frames.
“But they played better snooker so deserved to win. It’s disappointing but we found ourselves 2-0 down through no fault of our own.
“We came here with expectations to do well and tried to play well in every match.
“If someone had said we would get to the final then we would’ve taken it but being in the final you never want to finish runners-up.
“We’ve won a bit of money to put in the bank but it’s a shame we couldn’t lift the trophy.”
Earlier in the day, Northern Ireland won a 4-3 thriller against Hong Kong but tournament favourites Wales lost 4-1 to China in the other semi-final.
“We lost one on a respotted black and one on a black,” said Mark Williams.
“We’ve tried our best in hard conditions. We were two balls away from it being 3-1 and I should’ve won against Liang and if Matthew potted the red in the last he would’ve dished up and we’re back in it.
“The three favourites – Wales, Scotland and England – went out early but if it was best of nine there’s no way the likes of Scotland would be out so soon. One frame opens it up for everybody.
“China only qualified through their last match and could’ve gone out. But it’s another tournament Barry (Hearn) has put on and we would all rather be playing.”
