Nathan Aspinall makes Saudi Arabia crowd emotions clear hours after PDC assertion
Nathan Aspinall secured a 6-4 win over Man Lok Leung at the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters on Tuesday, playing up to a largely silent crowd at the Global Theatre
Nathan Aspinall has U-turned on his earlier stance(Image: Rahaf Abdullah, Getty Images)
Nathan Aspinall managed to coax a spirited response from a predominantly subdued audience at the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters on Tuesday evening.
The Asp took on Man Lok Leung at the Global Theatre in a best of six legs clash for his place in the semi-finals. Yet the pair encountered a considerably more restrained crowd compared to the World Championships at Alexandra Palace earlier this month.
Spectators in Riyadh have remained remarkably quiet throughout the Saudi Masters, only emerging from their silence during player entrances, following 180s, and at the conclusion of each contest. Nevertheless, Aspinall succeeded in drawing a response from supporters as he attempted to secure a maximum in his match’s deciding leg.
Leading 5-4 overall at that moment and having hit two treble twenties, Aspinall beckoned towards the audience with his hands in an effort to heighten the atmosphere. As the crowd began to emit ‘oos’, the 34-year-old broke into a grin before eventually missing his opportunity for a 180, reports the Express.
This didn’t stop him from claiming the leg though, as he sealed a 6-4 victory over Leung to progress to the semi-finals, where he will meet Michael van Gerwen later on Tuesday evening. Speaking to ITV following the match, Aspinall said: “You know what, he played really well.
“I expected him to, I watched his game last night against Danny [Noppert] and he started like a train. And he started like that tonight against me. First leg I was like, ‘Oh my god…’
“I played really well, my finishing’s been great this week. Obviously, it’s got to continue if I’m going to win the tournament, but I feel good. I’ve had good rest days.”
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Speaking about the atmosphere and the crowd at the Global Theatre, Aspinall said: “That crowd there were really good. They got involved at the end there and I think that every game that comes on stage, they’re learning. That was fun and can’t wait to get back up there.”
On his confidence level, Aspinall added: “I’ve been confident for the last six months in my game. I thought I played well last week in Bahrain, this week I’ve played really well. I can’t really grumble. Got to continue, got to perform like that if I’ve got any chance of beating Michael next game, but I’m confident I will.”
It follows Aspinall’s criticism of the atmosphere in the Middle East after his opening day victory over Lourence Ilagan earlier this week, where he said: “I don’t know. There is definitely a long way to go. It’s certainly different.
“I am not stupid, I feel like they were not all there of their own accord, shall we say. It was quite a small venue but you’ve got to start somewhere.
“Everything needs to start somewhere and as long as people walk away from this week and say, ‘We really enjoyed the darts’ and the Saudi Arabian press really enjoy the darts, there is no reason why not. I’ve enjoyed my time out here so far, there is worse places to be. I could be sat in Glossop in the snow, so hopefully we can be back again.”
In response to Aspinall’s remarks, the PDC issued a statement which read: “Nathan was reflecting on the fact that this was a first-of-its-kind darts event in the region, with many attendees experiencing live darts for the first time.
“As with any new market, the atmosphere and crowd make-up can differ from long-established darts events such as those in the UK and Europe. All spectators attended as ticket holders or guests, and we were delighted to see such strong interest in the PDC’s debut in Saudi Arabia.”
