Ireland bounced back from yesterday’s defeat by Australia with a resounding 3-0 victory over Hong Kong in their third match of the Men’s World Team Squash Championship in Melbourne today.
Ireland, captained by Derek Ryan, have finished second in Group A and will play Canada in the last 16 tomorrow.
Ryan was forced to battle hard in his game against Faheem Khan. Ryan, the world number 31, started well but then struggled by losing the second and third games.
But he remained focused and disposed of his rival in ruthless fashion, taking the fourth and fifth games in style to record a 9/1 5/9 2/9 9/1 9/0 victory.
Liam Kenny beat Vincent Cheung 9/6 9/5 9/4 while Steve Richardson was a comfortable 9/3 9/1 9/4 winner over Roger Ngan.
Second seeds Wales suffered a shock defeat to South Africa but nevertheless progress to the last 16 where they will meet England. Scotland beat Austria 3-0.
Round 3 Results
Pool A:Australia bt Norway 3-0, Ireland bt Hong Kong 3-0. Final placings: 1. Australia, 2. Ireland, 3. Hong Kong, 4. Norway.
Pool B:South Africa bt Wales 2-1, Germany bt Mexico 3-0. Final placings: 1. South Africa, 2. Wales, 3. Germany, 4. Mexico.
Pool C:England bt Kenya 3-0, Pakistan bt Sweden 3-0. Final placings: 1. England, 2. Pakistan, 3. Sweden. 4. Kenya.
Pool D:Denmark bt Japan 3-0, Canada bt Finland 3-0. Final placings: 1. Canada, 2. Finland, 3. Denmark. 4. Japan.
Pool E:Scotland bt Austria 3-0, Malaysia bt Netherlands 2-1. Final placings: 1. Malaysia, 2. Scotland, 3. Netherlands, 4. Austria.
Pool F:New Zealand bt USA 2-1, Egypt bt France 2-1. Final placings: 1. Egypt, 2. France, 3. New Zealand, 4. USA.