BY FAWAD HUSSAIN
DOHA: Shang Kun earned double wins as Al Sadd clinched the Emir Cup Table Tennis Tournament title after overcoming defending champions Al Arabi 3-1 in the final, yesterday at the Qatar Sports Club Indoor Stadium.
In front of avid fans supporting both the teams, Kun opened up the scoring and wrapped up things for Al Sadd, which avenged last year’s final defeat to Al Arabi.
Al Sadd walked away with the winning purse of QR150, 000 while Arabi had to content with runners-up prize of QR100, 000. This year’s edition offered total prize money of QR325, 000, with the rest of the money being given to players who showed impressive performances, according to a Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA) official.
“It’s a special title for us,” said Al Sadd’s Abdurrehman Mohsin Al Najjar after Al Sadd lifted the trophy.
“The win is a result of team work and all the players and coaches deserve the credit for this triumph,” said the Qatari.
Kun, who hails from China, enjoyed an easy sailing over Al Arabi’s G Shemet, winning the first match 3-0 to give Al Sadd a 1-0 lead. Kun won the match with one-sided scores of 11-5, 11-3 and 11-3.
But, Al Arabi bounced back with Tang Peng leveling the score 1-1 by blanking Waleed Nasir Al Hajjaji 3-0. He won the match 11-4, 11-8 and 11-6.
Al Najjar who displayed impressive show throughout the tournament regained lead for Al Sadd by routing M Al Sullaiti with an aggressive display.
He took the first game 11-4 and overcame resistance from Al Sulaiti to win the next game 11-8 before sealing the 3-0 win by claiming the third game comfortably by 11-2.
Later, in what was the match of the final, Kun returned to edge out spirited Peng in five-game thriller.
It was a sea-saw battle with Peng winning the first game 11-5 while Kun reversing the same result in the second game.
The Al Arabi player regained the lead by taking the third game with another 11-5 win before a brilliant fightback from Al Sadd’s maestro.
He won the penultimate game 11-8 and won the decisive game 11-5 to seal title as Al Sadd’s fans roared in jubilation. QTTA President, Khalil Ahmed Al Mohannadi gave away trophies to the teams. THE PENINSULA
