Keen Hoo-Kok Leong cruise into snooker doubles semis

PHNOM PENH: Moh Keen Hoo and Lim Kok Leong swiftly put their disappointment in the six-red doubles behind them when they powered into the semi-finals of snooker doubles at the Sea Games here today.

Keen Hoo-Kok Leong, who entered the fray as the reigning world amateur champions, brushed aside Alvin Barbero-Jefrey Roda of the Philippines 3-0 (77-39, 60-46, 62-33).

The Malaysian had earlier defeated Laos' Sihthideth Sakbieng-Suriya Minalavong 3-1 (65-58, 13-77, 86-0, 74-60) in the first round.

Keen Hoo-Kok Leong are now just two wins away from defending their title won in Manila in 2019.

The snooker doubles event was not contested in Hanoi last year.

Keen Hoo-Kok Leong will face Nguyen Pham Hoai-Kieu Thien Khoi Vietnam or Indonesia's Gebby Putra Dhendy Khristanto in Friday's last four.

The final will also be held on the same day.

Keen Hoo-Kok Leong will be determined to prove a point after they fell in the semi-finals of the six-red doubles on Wednesday.

They lost to eventual winners James Wattana-Krisanut Lertsattayathorn 4-2.

On Tuesday, Keen Hoo won the six-red singles.

Malaysia are targeting two out of the four gold medals at stake in the snooker disciplines.

"I believe the team will make it to the final. Our focus is on the snooker doubles instead of the shorter format," said Malaysia Snooker and Billiards Federation (MSBF) Melvin Chia.