HO CHI MINH - The grueling run-up in the World Cup in Ho Chi Minh, with many highlight matches, great runs and an invasion of Vietnamese talents is turning out into a showdown on the final day with four players from the traditional three cushion top. Torbjörn Blomdahl and Eddy Merckx face each other in the semi-finals, Tayfun Tasdemir plays against Jae Ho Cho.
Three Europeans and one Korean, three of these four with a record list in the World Cups, only Tayfun Tasdemir is still waiting for his first victory. The stylish Turk, who was recently also in the final of the tournament in New York and was the best winner in the quarter-finals (40 in ten innings) is ready for his very first coup in a World Cup.
Torbjörn Blomdahl shared himself among the best four in Ho Chi Minh with a victory over Marco Zanetti (40-25 in 19), Eddy Merckx stopped Quyet Chien Tran's the triumph race (40-23 in 16), Jae Ho Cho won the prestige battle with Sung-Won Choi (40-26 in 17) and Tayfun Tasdemir outplayed Dani Sánchez in a world class match.
The start was so impressive that Tasdemir, launched with twelve-run, was leading 26-4 after four innings (6.500 average). The match had a 34-13 intermediate score after a great fifth inning (nine Sánchez, eight Tasdemir) and ultimately lasted five innings before Tasdemir finished 40-24 in ten (4.000/2.400).
Jae Ho Cho led 19-9 in six innings and ran out with a decisive run of eight to 31-16. Blomdahl was never threatened by Zanetti, who started with a seven from the break, but was behind in the entire match. Eddy Merckx attacked with seven and ten to 23-5 in six innings and then finished it off on routine.
Torbjörn Blomdahl outplayed Marco Zanetti
Eddy Merckx after his victory over Tran
Torbjörn Blomdahl and Eddy Merckx, who meet in the semi-finals on Sunday at 11.00 am (Vietnamese time), already reflected to a historic World Cup.
How do you experience the atmosphere in this country where never was played a World Cup before?
Torbjörn Blomdahl: ,,I've never seen an ambiance like this, maybe only in Mexico. It's amazing how people are cheering the players.''
Eddy Merckx: ,,This is what you want as a player, mainly because it's all in a sportsmanlike way. They are cheering for everyone who shows something wonderful.''
Were you disturbed by the noise in the stands?
Eddy Merckx: ,,I had a great start when I played against Tran and took a big lead. Then, you don't bother, but maybe, if you are behind against such a home player, when he's cheered so loudly, you can be disturbed.''
Torbjörn Blomdahl: ,,It's possible, of course, that a thunderous applause comes from another table when you're about to make a point. But it does not bother me. It must be like this, it's tremendous.''
Did you expect, Torbjörn, that all those Vietnamese talents ultimately wouldn't be in the final day anymore?
,,We should not forget that we have much more experience and therefor are mentally stronger. I've seen a lot of great talents here, who will be better and better in the coming years.''
Did you came, Eddy, in a great form to Ho Chi Minh, because New York was not that good for you.
,,Yes, New York really wasn't my tournament. Yet, I still had 1.700 average, so I could not be really disappointment. I took a week holiday with Brenda after New York and that is what a man needs.''
Torbjörn, your next opponent is Eddy Merckx, who impressed with his victory over Tran.
,,We all know Eddy, how hard it is to play against him. Just ask Frédéric Caudron. Eddy Merckx can knock down everyone.''
Further news there in Ho Chi Minh, Torbjörn?
,,I am followed every day here by a tv team of three people from Sweden. Very nice.''
Did you hear the (billiards)news from the Netherlands where Harrie van de Ven has been suspended for one year and a half after a doping control. He says that he only too pills to lower his blood pressure.
Torbjörn: ,,Ohhh .... is that really true? We must be careful, we all know. I don't take anything before I've consulted the current doping list. I read it in three languages, and if I'm still not sure, I will definitely not take the medicine.''
Dani Sánchez, beaten in a world class match by Tasdemir
The top twelve ranking doesn't change too much on top: only Dani Sánchez can enter top three. Dong Koong Kang and Jean Paul de Bruijn lose their position in top twelve, Jae Ho Cho and Sameh Sidhom take their places. Frédéric Caudron drops from five to ten. Haeng Jik Kim is on thirteen now without even playing in Ho Chi Ming.
The semi-finals at the World Cup in Ho Chi Minh, on Sunday:
11.00:
Torbjörn Blomdahl-Eddy Merckx
13.00:
Jae Ho Cho-Tayfun Tasdemir
Final: 16.00.
Jae Ho Cho beat the world champion Sung-Won Choi