Asia extends lead over Europe going into the final day

Asia wrestled control of the competition with some precision putting to earn wins in all four matches against some out-of-sorts European pairings who never found their feet and now face a monumental challenge in the singles.

Europe's player-captain Colin Montgomerie will need wins from six of his eight players in today's singles just to secure a playoff, while Asia can lift the trophy for a second time with two and a half points. The teams were tied 2-2 after day one.

Liang Wenchong and Noh Seung-yul led the Asian charge with a confident 5&4 win that left Montgomerie and putting phenomenon Rhys Davies in the shade for most of the round at the Black Mountain course in Hua Hin, Thailand.

Birdies eluded the European pair after the sixth hole as the Asians opened up a four-stroke lead soon after the turn that Montgomerie and Davies stood no chance of undoing.

"The 11th hole was where it happened, we went four up and the pressure was off after that," Liang said. "I'm happy to be playing with Noh. He played well today."

Japanese duo Ryo Ishikawa and Shunsuke Sonoda were always in command in their 3&2 victory over Matteo Manassero and Pablo Martin, with a cool-headed Ishikawa notching up three consecutive birdies.

"So far, so good and tomorrow's going to be a great day," said Ishikawa. "I'll need to be at my best."

Thongchai Jaidee birdied six times in the round, holing twice from off the greens.

He paired up with Yuta Ikeda, who chalked up eight birdies to reverse Friday's drubbing by Peter Hanson and Fredrik Andersson Hed with a 3&1 win.

Johan Edfors and Henrik Stenson were uninspiring for a second day against Kim Kyung-tae and Jeev Milkha Singh.

Europe's woeful day was compounded when Edfors let slip an easy chance to take a half point when he missed a simple three-foot put on the 17th.