WALES 4
CROATIA 0
CAN we have a similar outcome when Welsh footballers attempt to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil?
Chris Coleman’s charges have been drawn in the same qualifying group as Croatia in their efforts to secure a place at their first World Cup finals since 1958, but they’ve been shown the way by Wales’ two best darts players.
Wales’ tilt at the Cash Converters World Cup of Darts opened in convincing fashion as Denbigh’s Mark Webster and South Walian Richie Burnett joined forces to accomplish a 4-0 win.
The Welshmen were in the box seat following Friday night’s singles matches, opening up a 2-0 advantage.
First up was Webster, who denied opponent Tonci Restovic a dart at a double in an excellent 4-0 match win.
Double 12 put Webster into the lead, while Restovic was unable to take out 135 in the next leg and Webster doubled his cushion on double 10, following an earlier 180.
Webster hit two more maximums in the third leg and finished double 10 for a 14-darter to move a leg away from the win.
Mark succeeded in completing a comprehensive win by finishing 80 on tops for a whitewash.
Burnett made a brilliant start to his match-up with Boris Krcmar, hitting double 10 for a 13-dart leg.
Krcmar spectacularly levelled with double 19 for a superb 158 finish and he opened the next leg with a 180.
When Burnett missed tops, Krcmar landed double 18 to break throw.
However, Burnett immediately broke back to level, taking out 101 on double 16, but back came the Croatian, who opened the fifth leg with a maximum and landed double 10 to move 3-2 up.
Burnett’s response was to finish 62 in two darts to send the game into a decider.
Richie missed double top for a 120 finish, but when Krcmar failed to take out 142, he returned to hit tops and seal victory.
This meant that Croatia had to win the doubles contest to stand a chance of progressing
However, Wales impressed as Webster and Burnett came from 1-0 down to win 5-1, claiming the tie 4-0.
"It's nice for me to represent Wales at the moment and it's an honour to play with Mark," said Burnett.
"I've got a second chance in my career and I'm taking it, so to become World Cup winner on Sunday would be fantastic."
Krcmar finished 135 to take the opening leg in style on tops, while in the next leg Restovic fired in a 180, but then saw Krcmar miss double 12 for a 144 checkout.
Burnett held his nerve to take out double 16 for a 48 finish.
In the next, Richie landed double 10 to put Wales 2-1 up, before Webster extended the lead further by taking out 117 on tops.
Double four for Wales puts them a leg away from the win and they swept into the quarter-finals in style with a 12-darter in the sixth leg.
Mark hit two 180s and Burnett completing victory on double 16.