World Cup of Pool 2015 Results: Thursday Scores, Updated Schedule and More
Japan caused a huge shock on Thursday as they knocked out two-times World Cup of Pool runners-up the Netherlands.
In what was the best match of the current competition so far, the Japanese raised their game to match the formidable Dutch, pipping them at the line in a dramatic final frame shootout.
Reigning champions England A destroyed opponents Korea to move into the quarter-finals, winning by an emphatic 7-0 scoreline.
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Greece followed a host of seeded teams to fall at the first-round stage of the 2015 World Cup, as they were shocked by Singapore, losing 7-5.
The fancied seventh seeds could not produce the quality to stay with the Singaporeans deep into the match and gave away control of the table at crucial times.
It was also a miserable day for No. 11 seeds Spain, who exit after a 7-3 loss to the Czech Republic.
Finland took their place in the second round of the competition, overcoming Belgium by 7-4.
Here's a look at Thursday's results as well as the upcoming schedule:
| Sept. 22 | Afternoon | Korea (16) | 7-6 | Malaysia |
| China (8) | 4-7 | Romania | ||
| Canada (12) | 6-7 | France | ||
| Evening Session | Germany (9) | 3-7 | Indonesia | |
| England A (1) | 7-5 | Australia | ||
| Austria (5) | 7-5 | Peru | ||
| Sept. 23 | Afternoon Session | Poland (13) | 7-3 | New Zealand |
| Chinese Taipei (4) | 7-5 | Estonia | ||
| Japan (14) | 7-3 | Italy | ||
| Evening Session | USA (6) | 5-7 | Qatar | |
| Holland (3) | 7-3 | India | ||
| Philippines (2) | 7-4 | Russia | ||
| Sept. 24 | Afternoon Session | Spain (11) | 3-7 | Czech Republic |
| Finland (10) | 7-4 | Belgium | ||
| Greece (7) | 5-7 | Singapore | ||
| Evening Session | England B (15) | 7-4 | Sweden |
| Sept.24 | Evening | Holland | 6-7 | Japan |
| England A | 7-0 | Korea | ||
| Sept. 25 | Afternoon | Austria | TBD | France |
| Indonesia | TBD | Romania | ||
| Poland | TBD | Chinese Taipei | ||
| Evening | Czech Republic | TBD | Qatar | |
| Singapore | TBD | Finland | ||
| England B | TBD | Philippines |
Thursday Recap
They were many pool aficionados favourite for the title, but the Netherlands became the first team to be eliminated from the second-round of the World Cup.
They fell at the feet of Japan, who stunned the third seeds with brilliant early play, building a 3-1 lead to stun the match favourites.
However, the Dutch ran through the gears and brought the tie back to 6-4 as the Japanese stood on the edge of victory. Two quick leg wins for the Netherlands pushed the match to a final frame shootout, but Japan grabbed the amazing 7-6 win with a wonderful seven-nine combination shot.
England A destroyed Korea in their second-round match, as former nine-ball world champion Darren Appleton helped his team to a 7-0 win.
The Koreans made countless mistakes, clearly nervous playing the reigning holders, and it was a very easy night for the English in the first whitewash of the event.
The big news from the afternoon session was the fall of the Greek team, who were edged out of the competition by a jubilant Singapore.
Greece took an early lead, rushing to 2-0 in quick succession; it looked like the seventh seeds would build a comfortable lead, but they were quickly pegged back.
The teams drew level in the eighth rack, with the scores tied at 4-4. The European side were slowly losing their form and confidence, and the Singaporeans could sense their opportunity.
Singapore took the match to the hill, leading 6-5, and a ruthless finish saw the Greek team exit the competition.
Aloysius Yapp's brilliant bank-shot, which travelled the full length of the table into the pocket, set his team up for the famous win.
The Spanish are also on their way home, with yet another seeded side misfiring in the first round. The pairing looked nervous throughout their match, and a lack of experience as a team manifested itself in the game.
The Czech Republic eased to a 7-3 win, with the sorry Spanish pairing looking desolate in defeat.
Finland edged out Belgium in their tight first-round game, winning the tie 7-4. The Belgians threatened to make a comeback at the death, but the Finnish side had enough in the tank to get across the line.
England B were the final team to make their way into the second round after a tough match against a good Sweden team.
The Swedes led the tie in the early racks, building a 2-0 advantage, but the English dragged the game back to 3-3. The second string then had no problem winning the fixture, taking proceedings by 7-4.
Both teams from England were in fine fettle, but the presence of Appleton—and his current form—mean his pairing can lift the title for the second consecutive tournament.
Appleton looked smooth and in control throughout their whitewash of Korea, and the champions will be hard to stop in the last-eight.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
