Asia retain narrow EurAsia Cup lead

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Selangor (Malaysia), January 13: Asia produced a strong finish to take a one-point lead through two days of the EurAsia Cup against Europe on Saturday.

Carrying a 3.5 - 2.5 lead into the second day at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club, Asia retained their advantage thanks to late wins in the foursomes.

The duos of Gavin Green and Yuta Ikeda, Phachara Khongwatmai and Hideto Tanihara and Li Haotong and Nicholas Fung helped Asia into a 6.5 - 5.5 lead.

That has left Asia well-placed to win the event for the first time heading into 12 singles matches on Sunday.

Europe, captained by Thomas Bjorn, had fought back early on Saturday in Malaysia.

Henrik Stenson and Tommy Fleetwood (3 and 2 against Shiv Chawrasia and Anirban Lahiri) and Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton (2 and 1 against Kiradech Aphibarnrat and An Byeong-hun) had lifted Europe.

But Green and Ikeda claimed a thrilling win over Rafa Cabrera Bello and Alexander Levy, securing three of the final four holes.

While Matt Fitzpatrick and Thomas Pieters helped Europe to another point, Asia claimed the final two matches of the day to edge ahead once more.

Source: OPTA