Ireland remain on course for a place in the last 16 of the Men's World Team Squash Championships in Malaysia after beating Brazil 3-0 yesterday in their second Pool F match. The team's hopes of finishing top of their pool received a surprise boost later in the day when Hong Kong, the group's top seeds, were beaten 2-1 by Austria.
The 11.0 a.m. start to the match made the cooler conditions more to the Irish team's liking, and Derek Ryan got them off to a perfect start with an easy, 3-0 win over Roberto Mori.
Next on court was Maurice Collins, who recovered from losing the first game against Tiago Cabral to take the next three games and clinch the tie for the Irish. Chris Collins completed the whitewash with a 3-1 win over Luis Andre Cout.
Hong Kong's decision to rest one of their first choice players and play their reserve against the Austrians, in anticipation of a comfortable victory, backfired when they lost the tie 2-1.
Their match against Ireland today will determine who goes through to the last 16. Team manager John McKay must now decide whether to recall Patrick Foster, who was rested for the match against Brazil.
