Arab Cup of Ice Hockey, 16th-20th June 2008

[Al-khiyal]

Algerians not discouraged by loss

Abu Dhabi, June 16, 2008: Kuwait cruised to an 8-2 win over the recently-formed Algerian team in the opening match of the Arab Open Ice Hockey Championship played here at the Abu Dhabi Ice Rink.

The Kuwaitis, strengthened by a few Czech players in their team, did all the scoring while the Algerians put up a brave fight to match their opponents in all departments of the game.

Jacub Petr scored thrice for the Kuwaitis, with Martin Petovsky adding two and Martin Itersky and Ahmad Al Ajmi getting the others.

For Algeria, Haroud Litim and Hakim Boukhaloua scored in the first and second periods.

The Kuwaitis led 2-1 at the end of the first 20-minute period and then were 4-1 at the end of the second 20-minute period.

However in the final period, Petr scored twice to complete his hat-trick and the blue-shirted Kuwaitis romped home comfortable winners.

The Algerians were however delighted with their display as it was their first ever match. "We all met each other and trained together just for a week in London before coming here," said team manager Mustapha Cheigui.

But the man who worked for over two years to form the Algerian team is Karim Kerbouche, also the President of the Algerian Ice Hockey Federation and a key player of the team.

The London-based Algerian said he assembled this team from Algerians who play ice hockey in France, Canada and the UK.

"After two years of hard work we could get this team to train together for one week. But we are very happy to play the first ever match in Algerian colours," said Karim.

As Algeria does not have an ice rink, the current crop of players intend to keep playing for the country by taking part in such events.

[Al-khiyal]

Morocco, Algeria participate in Arab ice hockey tournament

June 18, 2008 -- Morocco will clash with Algeria in the first Open Arab Ice Hockey championship Wednesday (June 18th) in Abu Dhabi. Algeria lost to Kuwait 8-2 in the tournament opener, while Morocco was shut out by UAE on Monday 9-0 and lost to Kuwait 6-3 yesterday. Moroccan national team acting president Khalid Mrini was quoted by the Emirati press as saying that Morocco only began playing the sport in 2005 and that there is still no major ice rink in the country. The Algerian national team was formed five years ago.

The five-day, four-nation tournament was organised by the Emirates Ice Hockey Association to promote the game among Arab countries.

"Ice hockey is not usually associated with Arab countries and the kind of weather conditions that we live in," tournament planner Mohammed Arif told the Examiner of Abu Dhabi. "We are very aware of that and it might even seem funny to some that there will be fans sitting inside the rink in hats and gloves while it is extremely hot outside," he added.

The tournament final is scheduled for Friday.

[Al-khiyal]

Abu Dhabi cruise past Algeria

Abu Dhabi, June 19, 2008: Hosts Abu Dhabi scored another convincing 6-2 win over Algeria on Tuesday night and joined Kuwait as the unbeaten team in the four-team Arab Ice Hockey Championship being played here at the Abu Dhabi Ice Rink.

Earlier on Tuesday, Kuwait beat Morocco 6-3 to notch up their second successive win.

Algeria, who lost their opening match to Kuwait after coming to the event with just one week's training, did put up a better display against the strong Abu Dhabi team but the hosts gained ascendancy midway through the match and then cruised home.

The first 20-minute period was a tightly-contested affair with only an Ali Mubarak Al Mazroui goal giving Abu Dhabi a slender lead. However, Algeria, comprising of Algerian expats based in Canada, France and UK, hit back when Haroud Litim scored early in the second period. Abu Dhabi took the lead again, this time Dema executing a fine shot but that lead was again short-lived.

The French-based Litim scored again and the match was level at 2-2.

But Abu Dhabi's first match hero Suhail Hamad Al Muhairi stepped in to give the UAE a crucial 3-2 lead and after that Algeria's challenge caved in. Two more quick goals by Yora and Dema ensured Abu Dhabi went into the final 20-minute period with a 5-2 lead.

Algeria tried to get back into the match but Juma Mohammad Al Dhaheri scored to ensure Abu Dhabi collected full points.

Abu Dhabi and Kuwait meet in the final league match to decide the table-toppers before the semifinals. The winners of the four-team group will take on the fourth-placed team while the second and third-placed teams clash in the second semifinal.

Both matches will be played today and the final will be played tomorrow.

[Al-khiyal]

Morocco are off the mark

ABU DHABI, June 19, 2008 -- Morocco won their first game at the Arab Cup in thrilling fashion last night.

They defeated Algeria 9-6 in a close game at Zayed Sports City to get their first points of the campaign in their final league match of the group stages.

Having been beaten 9-0 by the UAE on the opening day of the event, and then defeated 6-3 by Kuwait in their second game, they bounced back well to see off the Algerians.

The tournament's finale is tomorrow when the final, as well as the third and fourth place play-off takes place.

[Al-khiyal]

Ice-cool Abu Dhabi top group stage

Abu Dhabi, June 20, 2008: Team Abu Dhabi rallied from 0-2 to edge out Kuwait 4-3 via the tie-breaker in what was a dress rehearsal of the final in the inaugural Arab Ice Hockey Championship organised by the UAE Ice Hockey Association.

The win ensured Abu Dhabi finished at the top in the four-team event with Kuwait taking second spot. In another match Morocco registered their first win defeating Algeria 9-4.

In the semifinals, Abu Dhabi take on Algeria while Kuwait will meet Morocco.

A fairly large crowd at the Abu Dhabi Ice Rink was treated to a fast and exciting contest with Kuwait gaining the upper hand in the early part of the match.

Kuwait's Czech star Martin Petovsk silenced the home supporters with an early strike and after that both sides played an attacking game.

However the first period stayed that way but Abu Dhabi were in for an early shock in the second when Jacub Petr beat Sergeh to make it 2-0 for Kuwait.

With Martin Itersky in full flow, Kuwait continued to attack while the Abu Dhabi team kept trying to break their rivals. Finally it was skipper Ahmad Mubarak Al Mazroui who scored for Abu Dhabi and the cheer leaders went all out for the home team. With both sides attempting over 20 shots each it was a closely-contested match and just when it looked like the Kuwaitis would make it, Abu Dhabi struck.

Egar scored a last-gasp goal for Abu Dhabi and the match was taken to extra time and then the penalty shootout. Vladimir and Alex Toth scored for Abu Dhabi and Kuwait respectively in the first set of shots. However in the next it was Egar who turned out hero for the home side when he converted and Kuwait failed in their attempt.

Egar was named match of the match for his sterling effort.

The match for third-place will be followed by the final today from 5.30 pm onwards at the Abu Dhabi Ice Rink.

[Al-khiyal]

Abu Dhabi defeat Algeria in Ice Hockey Championships

Abu Dhabi, June 21, 2008: Hosts Abu Dhabi and strong favourites Kuwait took their appointed places in the final of the inaugural Arab Ice Hockey Championship being played here at the Abu Dhabi Ice Rink.

After finishing first and second respectively in the group stage, the two sides cruised through their respective semifinal matches on Thursday night.

Abu Dhabi scored a 10-4 win over Algeria to maintain their unbeaten record in the tournament while Kuwait were dominant in their 9-0 rout of Morocco.

Abu Dhabi led 4-1 at the end of the first period, were 7-3 up at the end of the middle period and wound up 10-4 winners against the Algerians who were playing their first ever competitive event.

It was expected to be a one-sided affair as Algeria had lost all three of their group games while Abu Dhabi topped with an unbeaten run.

For Abu Dhabi it was Egar who extended his brilliance after his heroics in the group game against Kuwait. Against Morocco Egar got off to a silken start with two quick goals and later scored another to finish with three. Thursday night also proved a happy hunting ground for Omer Al Shamsi as the UAE player also netted thrice for Abu Dhabi.

However it was Juma Mohammad Al Daheri who caught the eye with a fine display and apart from scoring two goals he was named the MVP of the match.

Abu Dhabi's remaining two goals came from Ali Mubarak Al Mazroui and Youra.

For the Algerians, despite an all-loss record, they were delighted with their four-goal effort against the strong Abu Dhabi team Comprising a team of Algerian expatriate players based in Canada, France and the UK, the players met just two weeks ago, had one week's training in London and played in their first ever event.

Hakim Boukhaloua scored twice while Djamel Zitouni and Mohammad Benyahia scored one each.

Kuwait, who lost their final league match 3-4 to Abu Dhabi in the penalty shootout, were in a class of their own in the second semifinal. Much was expected from Morocco after their win over Algeria but Kuwait's 'Czech' power proved too much as they were demolished 9-0.

Alex Toth warmed up nicely for the final showdown against Abu Dhabi with three goals while Martin Itersky scored two. Martin Petovsky, Ahmad Al Ajmi, Mishal Al Ajmi and Mohammad Al Ajmi got the other goals for Kuwait in a one-sided affair.

[Al-khiyal]

Kuwait settles with 2nd place in Arab Ice Hockey Championship

ABU DHABI, June 20, 2008 (KUNA) -- The Kuwaiti Ice Hockey team lost on Friday to United Arab Emirates (UAE) 1-4 in the first Arab Ice Hockey Championship held in Abu Dhabi.

The Kuwaiti team played a strong and big game with more control of the match and strikes on goal, Kuwait's Public Relations and Information Director Hani Al-Nassar told KUNA.

The official added the Kuwaiti team played with high spirits and morale as the result of previous matches and positive outcomes.

The Kuwaiti team took full control of the first and third quarters, however technical mistakes played a negative role for Kuwaiti players, Al-Nassar noted.

Nonetheless, Kuwaiti players benefited from playing in such a tournament, which has prepared them to do a lot better in future competitions, he said.

The Kuwaiti national team is planning on participating in the Asian tournament to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, and the international winter tournament to be held in Kazakhstan in 2008.