Hossein Vafaei bit on chocolate to attempt to quiet his nerves and consistent his hand as he turned into the main Iranian to fit the bill for the big showdown at Sheffield’s Crucible Theater.
The 27-year-old beat China’s Lei Peifan 10-9 in Wednesday’s passing round with a conclusive last casing getting his place among the 32 contending in snooker’s greatest occasion, which starts on Saturday.
“I was so apprehensive, all of my body was shaking,” said the world No 18. “I didn’t have any idea what to do. I was eating chocolate, a great deal of sugar, yet it wasn’t working. Every so often are that way. You fail to remember how to hold the signal. Please accept my apologies I played so terribly… however I guarantee I will play better on the greater stage at the Crucible, I can hardly hold on to arriving.”
Vafaei had driven 4-1 however Lei retaliated to 5-5 and the qualifier stayed close until the last casing when Lei, 61-0 up, was two pots from triumph yet missed a basic red to a middle pocket. Vafaei then made a leeway of 54 to assist with getting the success.
“At 8-8, I was behind also and I tidied it up,” said Vafaei. “I trust this will rouse more individuals back home and make them begin playing snooker and make it as large as possible.”
Australia’s Neil Robertson (2010), Ireland’s Ken Doherty (1997), and Canada’s Cliff Thorburn (1980) are the main non-British players to have come out on top for the big showdown in the beyond 70 years.
