New Zealand seeded 11th at World Champs

A challenging draw for the New Zealand team at the Junior Men's World Squash Championships in Doha.

The kiwi side has been seeded 11th and joins second seeded Pakistan in Pool B.  With the top two advancing from each pool, New Zealand is expected to go through to the top 12, with South Africa (seeded 13/18) and Iraq (19/23) the other two teams in the pool.

The kiwi side has shown some encouraging form in the individual event.

Jonny Barnett won his opening match before going down in four to Canadian number one Cameron Seth, despite suffering from a stomach upset.  Zac Millar has improved as the tournament has progressed.  Millar lost his opening two matches but won his next three to advance to the final of the consolation plate.

New Zealand number three Todd Redman got off to a flyer, beating French number three Baptiste Masotti in straight games - France is seeded seventh in the teams event.  Redman also picked up a win against Canadian number two Zachary Leman, before bowing out to India's Abhishek Pradhan.

Kiwi number four Ben Grindrod has underlined New Zealand's depth, losing his opening match to French number one Damien Vollande in four before notching up three wins on the trot, including a 3-1 victory over Argentine number two Rodrigo Obregon.

New Zealand's first tie is against Iraq at 11pm Friday (NZT).

Pools for team championship

Pool A: [1] Egy, [12] Kuwait, [13/18] Switzerland, [19]23] Argentina Pool B: [2] Pakistan, [11] New Zealand, [13/18] South Africa, [19/23] Iraq Pool C: [3] England, [10] Canada, [13/18] Belgium, [19/23] Zimbabwe Pool D: [4] India, [9] Australia, [13/18] Germany, [19/23] Qatar Pool E: [5] Hong Kong, [8] Colombia, [13/18] Japan Pool F: [6] USA, [7] France, [13/18] Brazil, [19/23] Guatemala