NZ misses out on quarters in Doha

Hong Kong has knocked NZ out of the teams race at the World Champs in Doha.

Disappointment for New Zealand at the World Junior Men's Team Squash Championships in Doha.

The 11th seeded Kiwi team has missed out on a spot in the quarterfinals, after going down 3-0 to Hong Kong in the first round of the knockout stage.

The New Zealanders had backed themselves to give fifth seeded Hong Kong a run for their money and Kiwi number one Jonny Barnett showed they were more than capable in the opening match against Cheuk Yan Tang.  The two players traded games to be level at 2-all at one stage, with Barnett edging ahead 9-8 in the deciding fifth.  However, Cheuk Yan Tang drew level at 9-all after a monstrous rally and then added two more quick points to close out the match 11/8, 5/11, 11/9, 8/11, 11/9.

That left New Zealand number three Todd Redman needing to beat Yeung Ho Wai to keep his side in the tie.  However, despite playing some of his best squash of the tournament, Redman was simply beaten by a better player on the day, going down 11-4, 11-2, 11-2.

Zac Millar decided to play the dead rubber against Yip Tsz Fung but he too was beaten, succumbing 11-8, 11-2 in the best of three games affair.

New Zealand now has a day off before facing Brazil in the battle for 9th to 12th places on the glass court at 8pm on Tuesday night(NZT).  The tie will be streamed live at www.wsfworldjuniors.com.

[5] Hong Kong 3-0 [11] New Zealand
  Cheuk Yan Tang def Jonathan Barnett 11-8, 5-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9 (78 mins)
  Yeung Ho Wai def Todd Redman 11-4, 11-2, 11-2 (32 mins)
  Yip Tsz Fung def Zac Miller 11-8, 11-2 (12 mins)

Tournament site...www.wsfworldjuniors.com