Michael van Gerwen Slammed by Pundits after Declining a Match Dart to Let Mensur Suljovic Throw 161
- last year
Mensur Suljovic pulled off one of the most incredible checkouts at the Kazoo World Darts Championship after Michael van Gerwen opted out of a shot at the bull on a 121 for the match.
With the score poised at two legs apiece heading into the fifth set, Van Gerwen needed a bullseye to win the match. However, he opted for a single 18 instead - leaving 32 on the board.
It was a calculated move from Van Gerwen as he thought Suljovic would fail to hit 161 - meaning he could checkout with double 16. However, his tactics backfired as Suljovic pulled off the unthinkable.
Wayne Mardle on commentary was shocked by Van Gerwen's decision and highlighted the Dutchman's arrogance. The pundit said: 'He's not going for it, he thinks someone averaging 101 is not going to take out 161.'
Mardle was equally as impressed with Suljovic, shouting: 'That is insane, that is insane, John Part.' While Part added: 'That's absolutely what we wanted to see. He [Van Gerwen] spurned the bull, he said 'you can't do it'.
Mardle went on to highlight Van Gerwen's embarrassment by yelling: 'Look at his face, look at his face. That is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever seen.'
The fans inside the arena were delighted with Suljovic's checkout as they had booed Van Gerwen for his tactics. While those on social media slammed the Dutchman for being 'disrespectful' and 'arrogant'.
Commentator and former Belgian darts player Erik Clarys also criticized Van Gerwen, claiming the 33-year-old showed his opponent a lack of respect.
'It's so disrespectful. It's like saying to your opponent: go ahead, you can't do it anyway. When such a great player does something like that, it should be punished every time.'
While, one fan Tweeted: 'Exactly why I can't stand MVG, no respect for his professional counterparts.' Another added: 'Phil Taylor often did this also. Glad to see MVG losing out because of it.
One darts fan wrote: 'That was just brilliant. MVG said come and have a go if you think you can take it out, up steps Suljovic and he says OK then, 161 on the bull. Unbelievable match this has been. The look on MVG's face was priceless.'
Another added: 'Van Gerwen gambled that Suljovic couldn’t finish the 161, which is very difficult. So MVG didn’t go for the bullseye. Which is disrespectful. Suljovic punished the arrogance.'
However, Van Gerwen felt very differently about his tactics and said he would 'do it again' if needed. Speaking after the game, the Dutchman said: 'That move at the end of the fifth set? I'll do it again next time.
Van Gerwen went on to analyze his performance. He said: 'I had to play well. I haven't seen Mensur playing this well for a long time.
'It didn't expect this, but on the other hand, it also makes it a good game. It was tense, there were some good darts - it was amazing.
'I won the game, and I think that's the most important thing. I feel comfortable, so I hope I can do some more damage in this World Championship'.
With the score poised at two legs apiece heading into the fifth set, Van Gerwen needed a bullseye to win the match. However, he opted for a single 18 instead - leaving 32 on the board.
It was a calculated move from Van Gerwen as he thought Suljovic would fail to hit 161 - meaning he could checkout with double 16. However, his tactics backfired as Suljovic pulled off the unthinkable.
Wayne Mardle on commentary was shocked by Van Gerwen's decision and highlighted the Dutchman's arrogance. The pundit said: 'He's not going for it, he thinks someone averaging 101 is not going to take out 161.'
Mardle was equally as impressed with Suljovic, shouting: 'That is insane, that is insane, John Part.' While Part added: 'That's absolutely what we wanted to see. He [Van Gerwen] spurned the bull, he said 'you can't do it'.
Mardle went on to highlight Van Gerwen's embarrassment by yelling: 'Look at his face, look at his face. That is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever seen.'
The fans inside the arena were delighted with Suljovic's checkout as they had booed Van Gerwen for his tactics. While those on social media slammed the Dutchman for being 'disrespectful' and 'arrogant'.
Commentator and former Belgian darts player Erik Clarys also criticized Van Gerwen, claiming the 33-year-old showed his opponent a lack of respect.
'It's so disrespectful. It's like saying to your opponent: go ahead, you can't do it anyway. When such a great player does something like that, it should be punished every time.'
While, one fan Tweeted: 'Exactly why I can't stand MVG, no respect for his professional counterparts.' Another added: 'Phil Taylor often did this also. Glad to see MVG losing out because of it.
One darts fan wrote: 'That was just brilliant. MVG said come and have a go if you think you can take it out, up steps Suljovic and he says OK then, 161 on the bull. Unbelievable match this has been. The look on MVG's face was priceless.'
Another added: 'Van Gerwen gambled that Suljovic couldn’t finish the 161, which is very difficult. So MVG didn’t go for the bullseye. Which is disrespectful. Suljovic punished the arrogance.'
However, Van Gerwen felt very differently about his tactics and said he would 'do it again' if needed. Speaking after the game, the Dutchman said: 'That move at the end of the fifth set? I'll do it again next time.
Van Gerwen went on to analyze his performance. He said: 'I had to play well. I haven't seen Mensur playing this well for a long time.
'It didn't expect this, but on the other hand, it also makes it a good game. It was tense, there were some good darts - it was amazing.
'I won the game, and I think that's the most important thing. I feel comfortable, so I hope I can do some more damage in this World Championship'.