Chris Dobey was defeated narrowly at the 2024 World Matchplay after initially being down heavily to Michael Smith before rallying for a comeback.
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But in the end it wasn't enough as he lost 11-9 and Smith overturned a trio of recent scar tissue inducing defeats to Dobey at the Masters, World Matchplay and World Championship.
Close friends off the oche, Smith admitted in his interview that he let friendship get too involved in the tie and he said good luck instead of I want to rip your head off. Dobey was cordial post match on social media wishing Smith luck.
Whilst also stating how gutted he was to be defeated in the manner he was and how he let Smith get off to the lead he didn't want him to and was made to pay for it as a result.
"Gutted to say the least felt great all night leading up to it but done exactly what I didn’t want to do and let him get off to a big lead, battled back as much as I could just wasn’t enough unfortunately," wrote Dobey on Facebook. "Great to share the stage and battle it out with the big lad though nothing but respect for him best of luck for the remainder of the comp pal."
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BULLY BOY BATTLES THROUGH!
Michael Smith showed great resolve to come through a bit of an edgy encounter with his good pal Chris Dobey to set up a quarter-final clash with Rob Cross. #ShotDartsTribe