Icehockey? An Arab affair

After the first two days of competition in Dehradun, India, it seems the Arab patrol at IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia want to go back with the title, won last year in Kuwait by Hong Kong, not competing this year.
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United Arab Emirates – Thailand 4-3 (1-2, 1-0, 2-1)
2011 Silver medalist United Arab Emirates, coached by Belarusian Yuri Faikov, opens the tournament facing Thailand. Last year UAE won 6-3, but now Thai team seems more prepared and twice takes advantage. A decisive goal by Mubarak Almazrouei with five minutes remaining and a good performance by Suhai Almehairi - 2 goals and one assist - gives three points to Arab.

India – Macau 3-5 (1-0, 2-2, 0-3)
At night a standing ovation welcomes India on ice, celebrating the country’s first ever international game on home ice. But opponent Macau didn't travel over Himalaya to be the scapegoat. Last season in Kuwait Macau easily won 8-0 over India, now the situation is different: pushed by 250 fans India plays at same level for two periods, opening the score at 15:44 with Mohdazaz Giri and doubles with Mohd Iqbal in the second. Macau manages to equalize but before the second siren Amir Ali scores 3-2 India. Last 20 minutes are dominated by Macau, more prepared physically. Chon Kong Leong, Macau’s captain, completed his hat trick, giving his team a hard-won victory

Taipei - Kuwait 2-12 (2-5,0-4,0-3)
Kuwait closed last year home tournament in a disappointing 4th position, after a brilliant start, 2 victories, including a 39-2 over India. This year Arab, coached by Serbian Marko Zidarevic, want to early put its nomination for final victory. The first opponenet is Taipei, already partecipating in IIHF official World Championship. But on the ice the more experienced and professional team seems at once Kuwait: the Alajmi's hurricane overwhelmes Taipei: 3 goals by MVP Meshal, 2 plus 2 assists by Ahmad and 2 goals and one assist by Salem. Even if with a different surname, also Abdulaziz Shetail join the party, scoring 2 goals and served four assists. A very disappointing performance by Taipei, one of (former) tournament favourites and champion two years ago when Challenge was played in Taipei.


Macau - Malaysia 1-8 (0-1,1-5,0-2)
Macau is back on earth: after the promising victory against India in opening game, a defeat with no excuses against Malaysia, not competing last year but with a good campaign - including a 7-1 against Macau - two years ago, when team finished fourth in Taipei Challenge. Canadian coach Martin Page lines up the team around star Kin Ban Loke, playing in Sweden fourth Division Flemingsbergs. He doesn't let down coach's expectations and scores an hat-trick, including the first two goals. three goals and one assist come from the third line, showing that Malay have a well balanced roster. Chon Kong Leong scored the only goal for Macau and the forth personal in the tournament. Kuan Leong Lou, stopping 44 shots, deservely earns MVP title for Macau

 

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