Doherty hopeful despite shock defeat

Ken Doherty refused to give up his hopes of World Cup glory after Pakistan shocked the Republic of Ireland on day one of the revived tournament in Thailand.

Former world champion Doherty slipped up in a one-frame singles match against Sahid Aftab, who also beat Fergal O’Brien.

Aftab and Muhammad Sajjad teamed up to beat the Irish pair in the doubles as Pakistan won the best-of-five-frames Group A match 3-2.

Doherty and O’Brien both won frames against Sajjad with century breaks, Doherty with 111 and O’Brien with 101.

The PTT-EGAT-sponsored event, in Bangkok, is the first snooker World Cup to be staged since 1996, when Ireland – with Doherty and O’Brien in the team – lost to Scotland in the final.

The format for the early stages sees each player in the two-man teams play singles frames against both players on the other side, plus a doubles frame.

Doherty still believes Ireland can come through their group to reach the quarter-finals.

“We’re very disappointed to lose but it’s amazing that we both made a century break each but lost the match 3-2,” said Doherty.

“It’s a disappointing start but every frame counts so that’s a good thing, so if we beat Germany or Egypt 4-1 or 5-0 then we’re right back in it.”

Hong Kong were beaten 3-2 by Poland in a match which saw Marco Fu lose a frame to 15-year-old Kacper Filipiak, while Thailand’s second team defeated Afghanistan 3-2 and Brazil overcame Belgium by the same score.