• Snooker World Cup

Scotland and Wales move into quarter-finals

Former world champion Neil Robertson says Australia fear no-one © Getty Images

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Scotland and Wales both booked a place in the Snooker World Cup quarter-finals before hitting a ball on Friday, although they did later win their respective final group matches.

It had looked as though both nations would require a frame from their last Group A fixtures, with Scotland taking on Hong Kong and Wales meeting Republic of Ireland. However, with other results going their way, both countries were assured of their places in the last eight.

Ken Doherty proved the hero as Republic of Ireland earned themselves a last-eight berth in a dramatic finale against Wales. Needing two frames to be guaranteed a spot, they were staring down the barrel after losing the first two singles rubbers. Doherty and partner Fergal O'Brien pulled one back before O'Brien lost to Mark Williams. Ireland's fate would rest with Doherty, and he did not let them down as he beat Matthew Stevens to keep their dreams alive.

John Higgins starred as Scotland snuck past Hong Kong 3-2 - although there was some comfort in defeat for Hong Kong, as they secured the sole frame they needed to progress.

Australia booked their place in the last eight with a comprehensive 4-1 triumph over the UAE. Former world champion Neil Robertson and amateur Steve Mifsud lost 3-2 to China on Thursday, leaving them needing at least three frames against the UAE to avoid being eliminated from the competition.

"At the start of the day we knew we needed three frames to force a play-off in the worst case so 4-1 was the result we wanted," Robertson said. "Steve and I played perfectly for the first three frames, Steve had a nervy one in the fourth and I had one in the fifth.

"Last time there was a Snooker World Cup (in 1996) Australia got to the quarter-finals so hopefully we can go one step further. We've played in the hardest group and it doesn't matter who we play now. We're going to enjoy the tournament and take what we can going into Bendigo."

England beat Northern Ireland 4-1 in what was the decider in the group, with England now facing Hong Kong and Northern Ireland taking on Scotland.

Meanwhile, India bowed out of the competition with a morale-boosting 4-1 win over Brazil. Aditya Mehta and Pankav Advani prevailed in the first four frames but fell short of completing a whitewash when Noel Rodrigues grabbed a consolation for Brazil.

Consequently, India secured third spot in Group C but, owing to their previous heavy defeats at the hands of England and Northern Ireland, they failed to book a place in the quarter-finals.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.