KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 (Bernama)– The national men’s ice hockey team team began their International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Division IV campaign in style when they downed Kuwait 5-2 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan today.
Kuwait had earlier stunned debutants Malaysia when they scored a fourth-minute goal in the first period through Salem Alajmi before Mohammad Hariz Mohammad Oryza Ananda equalised for Malaysia in the 20th minute in the second period.
Malaysia, led by coach Gary Tan, then stormed into a 4-1 lead thanks to a brilliant five-minute hat-trick by Muhammad Fareez Afdlin Mohd Fauzi in the 32nd, 34th and 37th minutes.
Defender Goh Juan Jie then added the fifth goal for Malaysia in the 38th minute before Alli Alsarraf scored Kuwait’s second eight minutes later.
The national team will take on host Kyrgyzstan on Saturday (March 5), followed by Iran (March 7) and Singapore (March 8).
— BERNAMA
