Hot start on ice for UAE in Challenge Cup of Asia

ABU DHABI // The UAE are bracing for a stronger test against Thailand after disposing of familiar Gulf opponents Kuwait 5-1 in the IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia opener on Sunday.

Juma Al Dhaheri, the UAE captain and the man of the match, scored twice in the first nine minutes before Mubarak Al Mazrouie added a third for a 3-0 lead at the end of the first period.

Mohammed Al Ajmi pulled one back for Kuwait early in the third period before Ali Al Mazrouie and Saeed Al Nuaimi added to the UAE’s lopsided win at the Abu Dhabi Ice Rink.

“In the first game of the competition and the result was the most important,” said Khaled Al Qubaisi, the team manager.

“Kuwait are familiar opponents and they played a more physical game.

“We need to step up from this game when we play Thailand, who are also after a win from the first game.”

Thailand, tonight’s foe, will be strengthened after the late arrival of three key players. They were registered on Sunday and are expected to play, Al Qubaisi said.

“We have now seen all the teams and have a fair idea what to expect and how do deal with them in the coming games,” he said. “I would presume the others, too, have a good idea of our team.”

Al Dhaheri set the tone for the UAE with two scores before Al Mazrouie dribbled his way through to score off a flick.

With a 3-0 lead in the first period, the UAE players seemed to relax.

The second period ended scoreless and it took Kuwait to pull one back for the home team to raise their game again and score twice more.

“There was a lapse of concentration in the middle period and the coach will have to deal with it,” Al Qubaisi said.

Earlier in the day, Thailand and the defending champions Taiwan got their campaigns off to winning starts.

The three-time champions thrashed Mongolia 10-3 while Thailand prevailed over Hong Kong in a penalty tiebreaker 2-1.

Shen Yen Lin, Lu Lifeng and Lui Yun Lun scored twice each while Weng To, Lin Hung Ju, Chao Yu Tung and Chang Jai Hsiang ticked their names in the scoresheet for Taiwan.

Anun Kullugin scored the winner for Thailand after the game ended in a 1-1 deadlock.

Yannick Wong put Hong Kong ahead in the second period and Likit Neimwan cancelled it in the third period to force the game into a penalty tiebreaker.

apasella@thenational