National cueists hoping to sink opponents in Vietnam

THE Sultanate's highest ranked cueist is finally set to see action outside of the country.

Ahmad Taufiq Murni (pic), who is the first Bruneian to break into the Top-100 in any sports, together with the duo of Pg Anak Hj Abdul Awadi ZH Pg Anak Hj Latifuddin and Lim Charng Hui are off to compete at the Hanoi 9-Ball Open 2012 in Vietnam.

Getting to as high as 58th in the world according to the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA), Ahmad Taufiq is currently sitting in the 96th position.

His last competition on the WPA is the World 9-Ball China Open 2011 which was held back in June last year.

The tournament will be the first outside of the country for the 23-year-old this year and he is hoping that he will be able to do well.

"Things are alright so far and I hope to play to my best there. I haven't had much competition but I believe that I can still put in a good performance," said Taufiq before departure at the Brunei International Airport in Berakas yesterday.

"There is always pressure in games but hopefully I will be able to deliver," added the National 9-Ball Pool League Category A champion.

Awadi, who competed in August last year in Kuala Lumpur, is set to overcome the obstacles.

"I'm going out there with my best. This is the first in a long time playing against these pro players because my last outside competition was in August," said Awadi.

"I know it will be tough but I expect to make it out of the first round and I'll go from there," added the 34-year-old.

On the other hand, Charng Hui is the only cueist that will be required to go through the qualifying rounds and he is feeling good.

"I'm feeling a little confident. Hopefully I can continue with my good form and I should have a good chance to make it out of qualifying," said Charng Hui.

National cue sports coach Lim Tat Hwe will not be travelling with the team but he is expecting them to produce the goods.

"Training has been good. These players will have to play to what they are capable of and they will have a good chance. They need to apply their knowledge from training and take it from round to round," said Tat Hwe.

"They are also required to adjust quickly to the conditions of the table and the environment because it has been a while since their last outside competition," he added.

"The Philippines, Taiwan and hosts Vietnam are the ones to look out for. Vietnam are different from the other two though because they are extremely efficient in cue ball control and placement," continued Tat Hwe.

The qualifying rounds will run from July 15-17 while the tournament proper will be held from July 18-21, whereby a total of 48 cueists will battle it out in a double elimination format.

The Brunei Times