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29 March 2024

Shehab, Al Joaker enter 41st National Day snooker semis

Mohammed Al Joaker stormed into the finals of the 41st National Day Snooker Championships. (SUPPLIED)

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By Staff

Mohamed Shehab led the march of UAE veterans into the semifinals of the 41st National Day Snooker Championship at the Dubai Snooker Club with Jordanian Khaled Al Azzouni being the only surprise qualifier.

Shehab played like a maestro in registering a 5-1 quarter-final victory as young Khalid Kamali failed in a desperate attempt to match his wits.

Mohammed Al Joaker also fired on all cylinders as he routed on-song former Egypt No. 1 Mohammed Samy El Khayat 5-2, while Eissa Ali Sayed faced little resistance from Abdulrahman Saif before carding a 5-1 triumph.

Al Azzouni, who had to go through the qualifying rounds to enter the Stage 2 of the City Engineering-sponsored competition which offers 41,000 AED to the winner, whitewashed UAE No. 4 Mohammed Husssain 5-0.

Al Joaker's performance on Saturday night was especially impressive as he cast aside all doubts shrouding his form.

Al Joaker spent only 40 minutes to race to a massive 3-0 lead and made his intentions clear. El Khayat potted some good balls to take the fourth frame, but Al Joaker scored a break of 63 in the fifth to maintain his three-frame advantage.

The sixth frame was very close with El Khayat succeeding in getting the better of his rival, but only through an excellent pot on the last black.

Al Joaker was however in no mood to allow El Khayat initiate a recovery and took the seventh frame with ease for a convincing 5-2 win.

The semifinals were to take place on Sunday evening at the same venue with Shehab facing Al Azzouni and Al Joaker taking on Sayed.