Northern Ireland power past South Africa as Hong Kong and Czech Republic reach historic World Cup quarter-finals

Northern Ireland comfortably secured their place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup of Darts with an 8–2 win over a competitive South African side. Despite some resistance from Devon Petersen and Cameron Carolissen, Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney remained in control throughout the match.

The Northern Irish pair made a fast start, holding their first two legs with a 15-darter and an 18-darter to take a 2–0 lead. South Africa hit back immediately with a 14-darter to make it 2–1, but from there, Rock and Gurney shifted up a gear. Gurney hit a 120 finish to extend the lead to 4–1, taking advantage of two missed darts at double 4 from Petersen.

Although South Africa pulled one leg back to 4–2, they were unable to sustain the pressure. Northern Ireland rattled off the final four legs to seal an 8–2 win. They will face Ireland in the quarter-finals.

Hong Kong break new ground with first-ever quarter-final

Sweden’s run came to an end at the hands of an impressive Hong Kong duo. Man-Lok Leung and Lok-Yin Lee got off to a flying start against Jeffrey de Graaf and Oskar Lukasiak, taking a 2–1 lead after legs of 14 and 11 darts and then breaking with a 15-darter.

The Swedes responded well, fighting back to 3–3, but Hong Kong went into the break 4–3 up and never looked back. They maintained their rhythm after the interval and extended the lead to 6–3. Although De Graaf and Lukasiak held their own legs twice more, they couldn’t mount a serious comeback.

Lee sealed the win with a 72 finish, clinching an 8–5 victory and sending Hong Kong into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in history. They will now face the winner of Wales vs. the Philippines.

Ireland make strong statement after narrow group stage survival

After a nervy escape from the group stage, William O’Connor and Keane Barry looked far more assured in their last-16 tie against Switzerland. The Irish duo broke immediately and held throw to lead 2–0 against Stefan Bellmont and Alex Fehlmann.

From there, the match followed the darts until 4–2, before Barry broke again in leg 7 to stretch the lead to 5–2. Ireland continued to press after the break and wrapped up an 8–3 victory without too much difficulty.

Their win sets up an all-Irish quarter-final showdown against Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney.

Czech Republic cruise past Malaysia into last eight

Karel Sedlacek and Petr Krivka also booked their place in the quarter-finals after a comfortable 8–3 win over Malaysia’s Tengku Shah and Tan Jenn Ming. Sedláček led by example, helping the Czech Republic open up a 3–0 lead early in the match.

Shah pulled one back for Malaysia with a checkout on double 16, but the Czechs accelerated again, pushing the score to 7–1. Malaysia added two more legs late on, but Krivka finished the match on double 16 to complete the 8–3 result.

Sedláček and Krivka will face the winner of the tie between Scotland and the Netherlands in what promises to be a highly competitive quarter-final.