"I admire him so much" - Damon Heta believes close bond he and Simon Whitlock share could be biggest strength for Australia at World Cup of Darts

Former World Cup of Darts winners, Australian duo Simon Whitlock and Damon Heta are through to the knockout stages of the 2024 edition after narrow victories in each of their two group games.

Although far from the kind of standard that saw the Aussies lift the title in 2022, Heta and Whitlock secured a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Hong Kong's Lok Yin Lee and Man Lok Leung on Friday night to secure top spot in their group. Hong Kong let it slip against Australia in the fifth leg, in which three darts on the outer ring were missed. Heta then threw out 107 for a break and a 3-2 lead. With a 15-darter in the sixth leg, the Australian duo then secured victory.

"It is so tough getting through the groups now. Every country is playing amazing darts and it's really hard work," reflected a somewhat relieved Whitlock, who has been present for Australia at every single World Cup of Darts in the post-match press conference, with both of the Aussie pairing full of praise for their opponents performance.

"They played superbly, absolutely brilliant. If they were playing separate days, and then played us again, it could have been a different outcome," added Heta. "But they weren't fresh. They'd literally hung around for like 9 hours or something ridiculous but fair play, they held their own and they were comfortable up there doing their thing. The Asian Tour is next level so it's great to see that it has grown."

Despite the fact the Australians claimed the title just a couple of years ago, not many are considering the Green and Gold for the title this time around. The close bond the duo share is a massive potential benefit though believes the team. "The things you do in the World Cups is brilliant mate," Heta says warmly to Whitlock. "I admire him so much."