{"id":7306,"date":"2026-04-29T04:06:04","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T04:06:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?p=7306"},"modified":"2026-04-29T04:06:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T04:06:04","slug":"hossein-vafaei-feels-he-has-one-advantage-over-most-world-championship-rivals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?p=7306","title":{"rendered":"Hossein Vafaei feels he has one advantage over most World Championship rivals"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <div style=\"display: grid; grid-template-columns: 300px 160px; gap: 2px; width: 460px; background: #eee; padding: 2px;\">\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u6574\u884c\u5bbd\u5e7f\u544a -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column: 1\/-1; width: 460px; height: 250px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876674\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column: 1\/-1; width: 460px; height: 90px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876676\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u5de6\u4fa7\u7ad6\u6392 -->\r\n  <div style=\"height: 250px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876672\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div style=\"height: 500px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876680\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u53f3\u4fa7\u6469\u5929\u697c\uff08\u548c\u5de6\u4fa7\u5b8c\u5168\u5bf9\u9f50\uff09 -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-row: 3\/5; height: 750px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876678\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e6\" data-zoneid=\"5876682\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272658490.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-28157107\" alt=\"Halo World Championship 2026 - Day 5\" decoding=\"sync\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Iran\u2019s Hossein Vafaei is hoping to be a local hero in Sheffield (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>He hails from Abadan, Iran but Hossein Vafaei feels living in Sheffield, South Yorkshire gives him added hope of conquering the Crucible.<\/p>\n<p>The Price of Persia is into his first World Snooker Championship quarter-final after a dramatic 13-12 win over Judd Trump in the second round on Monday night.<\/p>\n<p>Vafaei was the only qualifier to come through the first round, beating Si Jiahui 10-3 and he continued that impressive form by downing the world number one.<\/p>\n<p>The 31-year-old is taking on another first-timer in the quarter-finals, Wu Yize, with the pair locked at 4-4 after Tuesday afternoon\u2019s opening session.<\/p>\n<p>Both Wu and Vafaei are based in Sheffield, practicing and Ding Junhui\u2019s and Victoria\u2019s academies respectively, so the Iranian can\u2019t claim to hold his local advantage over his opponent.<\/p>\n<p>However, he does see living locally as a bonus compared to most players in the field, staying at home during the tournament and spending the year focussed on his Crucible dream as he is only based round the corner.<\/p>\n<div class=\"factbox\" data-ico=\"factbox_article\" data-track-module=\"factbox_article\">\n<h2 class=\"factbox-title\">\n\t\t\t\tAre you snooker loopy?\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<div class=\"factbox-content\">\n<p>You&#8217;re in the right place. I&#8217;m Phil Haigh, and I cover the game we all love for <strong>Metro<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>In my new newsletter, The Table, I&#8217;ll be analysing the biggest talking points, breaking down frames and crowning the week&#8217;s winners and losers every Monday.<\/p>\n<p>The World Championship is here, so there&#8217;s no better time to sign up.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"646\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/FB-MAIN-8adc.png?w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-27997408\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Phil has been reporting on snooker for over a decade, since working in World Snooker&#8217;s press office in 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\u2018I am looking forward to playing anyone, I don\u2019t be scared of anyone, and I think all of them know that as well,\u2019 he said.\u00a0\u2018So everything happened, happened. No pressure on me. I don\u2019t have any pressure.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272767170.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-28157108\" alt=\"Halo World Snooker Championship - Day Six\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Vafaei made a superb 91 to win the decider against Trump (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u2018I live in Sheffield. I wake up from my own bed, I come to the match. Perfect.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Asked if he sees that as an advantage, he said: \u2018Yeah, exactly. That\u2019s why I came to live in Sheffield and be beside the Crucible, and imagine one day you lift\u00a0the trophy, and then it should happen.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>On taking on the world number one in his last match, he said: \u2018I wasn\u2019t nervous. I enjoyed every minute. I was born for this kind of situation. <\/p>\n<p>\u2018If I don\u2019t face this kind of situation I will never become world champion. Every day the Crucible trophy is living in my head rent free.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272225798.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-28135920\" alt=\"Halo World Snooker Championship - Day Three\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Wu Yize is also based in Sheffield when he\u2019s in the UK (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u2018When you see the line, you get hungry or you get tired, it\u2019s up to you. So this is a difference between me and maybe other people.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>On his move to the Steel City, Vafaei said at last year\u2019s World Championship: \u2018Sheffield is a snooker city. They love snooker. Lots of snooker academies here, lots of good international restaurants.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Whenever you want to play someone, there\u2019s always someone for you to play and not easy opponents, they always give you a good game. Sheffield is a good city.\u2019<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify\">\n<p>\n<iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Talking Snooker Episode 250 - World Championship 2026 First Round Review\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/episode\/5qzN1O7eX8n8ncn3NeUh06?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>After coming through qualifying, Vafaei spoke of how difficult it has been to focus on snooker during the ongoing war in his home country.<\/p>\n<p>Having downed the world number one on the sport\u2019s most iconic stage, he said of representing his country during a terrible time: \u2018This is the only thing I can do. I have only one cue in my hand. I have to raise the flag up.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Vafaei and Wu play to a finish in their race to 13 frames on Wednesday in the afternoon and evening sessions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: John Higgins looking to take a leaf out of his Class of 92 rival\u2019s book<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: Neil Robertson names his top three snooker players of all-time<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: Ding Junhui predicts next Chinese snooker superstar after Zhao Xintong<\/span><\/p>\n<section id=\"share-buttons-bottom\" class=\"share-buttons share-buttons-bottom\">\n\t\t\t<span><svg><title>Comment now<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#social-comment\" href=\"#social-comment\"\/><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-comments__label\">Comments<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<span><svg><title>Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#social-preferred-source\" href=\"#social-preferred-source\"\/><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-preferred-source__label\">Add as preferred source<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n<div class=\"newsletter-end-card accent--snooker\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-end-card__inner\">\n<h4>The Table<\/h4>\n<p>Stay ahead of snooker&#8217;s next big break with Metro&#8217;s resident expert Phil Haigh in his new weekly newsletter.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- \u603b\u5bb9\u5668\uff1a\u6700\u5927\u5bbd908px Grid\u7d27\u51d1\u5e03\u5c40 -->\r\n<div style=\"display: grid; 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display:grid; place-items:center;\">\r\n\t\r\n<!-- JuicyAds v3.0 -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async src=\"https:\/\/poweredby.jads.co\/js\/jads.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins id=\"1114303\" data-width=\"125\" data-height=\"125\"><\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async>(adsbyjuicy = window.adsbyjuicy || []).push({'adzone':1114303});<\/script>\r\n<!--JuicyAds END-->\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u53f3\u4fa7\u7ad6\u680f\uff1a160\u00d7600 \u6574\u5217\u9ad8\u5e7f\u544a -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-row:3\/8; height:600px;  display:grid; place-items:center;\">\r\n    <!-- JuicyAds v3.0 -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async src=\"https:\/\/poweredby.jads.co\/js\/jads.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins id=\"1114301\" data-width=\"160\" data-height=\"600\"><\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async>(adsbyjuicy = window.adsbyjuicy || []).push({'adzone':1114301});<\/script>\r\n<!--JuicyAds END-->\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<br \/> Hossein Vafaei feels he has one advantage over most World Championship rivals<br \/>\n<br \/>#Hossein #Vafaei #feels #advantage #World #Championship #rivals<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Iran\u2019s Hossein Vafaei is hoping to be a local hero in Sheffield (Picture: Getty Images)&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7307,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[7488,1636,3150,7850,5209,7851,328],"class_list":["post-7306","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","tag-advantage","tag-championship","tag-feels","tag-hossein","tag-rivals","tag-vafaei","tag-world"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272658490_1777412604.jpg",1200,630,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272658490_1777412604-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272658490_1777412604-300x158.jpg",300,158,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272658490_1777412604-768x403.jpg",640,336,true],"large":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272658490_1777412604-1024x538.jpg",640,336,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272658490_1777412604.jpg",1200,630,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272658490_1777412604.jpg",1200,630,false],"covernews-slider-full":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272658490_1777412604-1115x630.jpg",1115,630,true],"covernews-slider-center":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272658490_1777412604-800x500.jpg",800,500,true],"covernews-featured":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272658490_1777412604-1024x538.jpg",1024,538,true],"covernews-medium":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272658490_1777412604-540x340.jpg",540,340,true],"covernews-medium-square":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272658490_1777412604-400x250.jpg",400,250,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?author=1"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?cat=6\" rel=\"category\">Sports<\/a>","tag_info":"Sports","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7306","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7306"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7306\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7307"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7306"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7306"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7306"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}