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11:13 GMT, Saturday, 10 January 2009

Asia on brink of Royal Trophy win

Paul Lawrie

Asia closed in on their first Royal Trophy win after dominating Saturday's fourballs to lead Europe 6½-1½.

Joe Ozaki's side, who led 3-1 after the opening day, won three of the four fourball matches, with Europe's Soren Hansen and Paul Lawrie claiming a half.

Hansen and Lawrie had led for 15 holes against Ryo Ishikawa and Toru Taniguchi but could only finish all square.

Asia need two points from Sunday's eight singles for victory at the Amata Spring Country Club near Bangkok.

On Saturday, China's Liang Wen-chong and Charlie Wi of South Korea defeated English pair Oliver Wilson and Nick Dougherty 3&2, with Liang carding five birdies.

Thai duo Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng claimed a 4&2 victory over Ireland's Paul McGinley and Pablo Larrazabal of Spain before Swedish pair Johan Edfors and Niclas Fasth lost 2&1 to Japan's Hideto Tanihara and SK Ho of South Korea.

Europe skipper Jose Maria Olazabal, who is leading the team in place of Spanish compatriot Seve Ballesteros, says his players can bounce back.

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"We cannot stop believing," said the 42-year-old. "We still have a chance - even though it's a slim one.

"We have a really tough test ahead of us because the Asians are playing so well. We need get up there really quickly to stand a chance of winning."

Asia have lost the previous two editions of the event and Ozaki says his side have to maintain their concentration on the final day.

"I'm very happy with the situation right now," said Ozaki, whose team lost by a massive nine points last time out in 2007.

"It's a big margin, but you never know what will happen. We have to keep up the momentum in the final matches."


Day two results:

Ryo Ishikawa/Toru Taniguchi (Jpn/Jpn) Soren Hansen/Paul Lawrie (Den/Sco) A/S

Charlie Wi/Liang Wen-chong (Kor/Chn) beat Nick Dougherty/Oliver Wilson (Eng/Eng) 3&2

Hideto Tanihara/SK Ho (Jpn/Kor) beat Niclas Fasth/Johan Edfors (Swe/Swe) 2&1

Prayad Marksaeng/Thongchai Jaidee (Tha/Tha) beat Paul McGinley/Pablo Larrazabal (Ire/Sp) 4&2

Sunday's singles draw:

Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn) v Soren Hansen (Den)
Liang Wen-chong (Chn) v Paul Lawrie (Sco)
Charlie Wi (Kor) v Nick Dougherty (Eng)
Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) v Pablo Larrazabal (Sp)
Hideto Tanihara (Jpn) v Oliver Wilson (Eng)
SK Ho (Kor) v Johan Edfors (Swe)
Toru Taniguchi (Jpn) v Niclas Fasth (Swe)
Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) v Paul McGinley (Ire)



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Related to this story:

Asia lead Europe in Royal Trophy (09 Jan 09 |  Golf )
Ballesteros wants captaincy role (07 Jan 09 |  Golf )
Royal Trophy rescheduled for 2009 (22 Jan 08 |  Golf )
Organisers postpone Royal Trophy (03 Jan 08 |  Golf )
Europe cruise to Royal Trophy win (14 Jan 07 |  Golf )
Europe seal Royal Trophy victory (08 Jan 06 |  Golf )

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