Post by : Maya Rahman

Ali Al Obaidly, the talented snooker player from Qatar, has made headlines by advancing to the final of the World Snooker Championship (Qatar 2025), organized under the auspices of the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation. This is his second appearance in the final, following his success in 2023, showcasing his remarkable skills and focus once again.

The championship will culminate on Thursday, featuring several renowned international competitors and former champions. Al Obaidly demonstrated his prowess and resolve as he overcame formidable opponents on his way to the final.

In a thrilling semifinal match conducted today, Al Obaidly triumphed over Harvey Chandler from England with a convincing scoreline of 5–2. This exciting clash was marked by closely contested frames: (72–1), (120–1), (0–85), (66–78), (71–1), and (58–28). Al Obaidly commenced the game on a strong note, winning the initial three frames. Despite Chandler's effort to recover by winning two frames, Al Obaidly regained his composure and clinched the final two frames to secure his place in the final.

This significant win paved the way for him to meet Poland's Michal Zobarczyk in the ultimate match. Zobarczyk, a promising 14-year-old, impressed everyone by besting France's Nicolas Mortreau 5–1 in his semifinal.

Earlier in the competition, Al Obaidly showcased his skills with a clean sweep over Germany's Richard Weinold, winning 4–0 in the quarterfinals. His strong control and focus illustrated that he was well-prepared for the challenges that lay ahead.

In other quarterfinal matches, Michal Zobarczyk narrowly defeated defending champion Mohammad Asif of Pakistan 4–3, Nicolas Mortreau overcame China's Ding Haohui 4–1, and Harvey Chandler secured his spot by beating Asjad Iqbal from Pakistan 4–3.

Throughout this tournament, Al Obaidly's journey has been remarkable from the outset. In the group stage, he emerged undefeated from Group 12, with wins against Fong Kok Wai from Hong Kong 4–2, Ajeya Prabhakar from the USA 4–0, and Amir Sarkhosh from Iran 4–2. This excellent performance enabled him to top his group and proceed directly into the Round of 16.

In the Round of 16, Al Obaidly encountered Chan King Kuang from Singapore in a tense match and secured victory with a score of 4–3. His rising confidence propelled him through the subsequent rounds, culminating in his semifinal win that secured a spot in the final.

After his recent victory, Al Obaidly expressed pride and joy in reaching the final once more. He extended his gratitude towards the Qatar Billiard Sports Federation for their unwavering support, which has greatly contributed to his growth and motivation. Acknowledging the high level of competition this year, he noted that every match posed its own challenges due to the presence of many top-ranked and former world champions.

He described his group-stage encounter against Amir Sarkhosh as particularly challenging, stating it bolstered his confidence and focus for the upcoming rounds. According to him, maintaining concentration and minimizing errors are crucial in matches at this level, as even the smallest mistake can change the course of the game.

With the final on the horizon, Al Obaidly praised Michal Zobarczyk as a gifted and daring young player. Nevertheless, he affirmed his commitment to giving his all in the final to potentially bring another world title to Qatar.

His consistent participation in international tournaments and competitions in Doha was noted as a vital part of his learning experience, helping him refine both his technical skills and strategic awareness, preparing him for high-stakes events.

Concluding his statement, Al Obaidly expressed his aspiration to make his country proud and meet the high expectations of the federation and Qatari fans. His remarkable journey thus far serves as an inspiration to many young players in Qatar, demonstrating that dedication and focus can lead to outstanding achievements.

The much-anticipated final match is set for Thursday, with fans across Qatar eagerly awaiting to see if Ali Al Obaidly can once again lift the World Snooker Championship title and etch his name in history for his nation.

#Sports News