The first qualifying round concluded on Wednesday afternoon with a thrilling final session, showcasing intense competition and dramatic finishes.
In Group G, Vinh dominated with a remarkable 30-26 win against Dinh The Vinh, securing his advancement to the next stage after a closely fought 26 shots.
A veteran of Vietnamese billiards, Vinh boasts an impressive resume, including Vietnam’s first 3-cushion carom gold at the 1997 Southeast Asian Games, a second gold in 2003, a bronze at the 2010 Asian Games, and four national championships.
One of the day’s most exciting matches unfolded in Group D, where Nguyen Thanh Tung narrowly defeated Cao Phan Triet Luan 30-29. Tung trailed by three points but seized the opportunity presented by Luan’s missed shot, scoring four straight points to clinch the match.
Group F witnessed a close contest between Nguyen Dinh Quoc and Long Hong. Quoc emerged victorious with a score of 30-29 after 22 shots. Hong, despite holding a substantial lead at 26-14, couldn’t maintain his advantage, and a missed opportunity allowed Quoc to secure a World Cup berth.
In Group E, an unexpected outcome occurred as Nguyen Thai Khuong, a relatively new face in professional 3-cushion carom, upset World Cup runner-up Tran Chi Thanh with a 30-28 win.
Other notable results included Tran Quang Hung’s comfortable 30-22 victory over Nguyen Nhu Le (Group H), Tran Manh Hung’s commanding 30-9 performance against Vo Ngoc Lam (Group C), Doan Minh Kiet’s 30-17 win against Nguyen Thanh Thuc (Group B), and Ngo Le Duy’s 30-26 success over Nguyen Van Lam (Group A).
With these outcomes, the first eight Vietnamese players qualified for the 2025 World Cup in Ho Chi Minh City, which is set to take place from May 19-25.
The remaining eight spots will be determined in the upcoming second qualifying round, scheduled for April 7-11, adding to the anticipation and excitement surrounding the event.
The Ho Chi Minh City Billiards & Snooker Federation is generously sponsoring the qualifiers, covering the 100-euro participation fee for each player, ensuring their full support for the development of the sport in the country.
Male Model Places Third in World Fitness Supermodel Competition
Ngo Hoang Linh, Vietnam’s representative at the 2023 World Fitness Supermodel pageant, achieved third place in the male competition’s grand final on May 27th in Thailand.
What is it like to get a haircut on the street in Ho Chi Minh City?
Even in the back streets of District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, the hot sun of the early afternoon showers down on the roadway while the noise and tooting of the traffic flood your mind. But on a street corner there is a man who, for the past two decades, has been here cutting hair in the heat and the noise, a cornerstone of the local community.