Abu Dhabi: Reigning champions and hosts UAE will start their title-defence of the GCC Ice Hockey Cup which they won two years ago in Kuwait when they face Oman in the opener.
The UAE, who won the Asian Championship less than a month ago in India, are clear favourites, which create pressures upon their players to defend the title.
"We have experienced players who can deal with these pressures. It is part of the game." Juma Al Dhaheri, the team's stand-in captain, told Gulf News.
"We have good players and mind you, winning the Asian Championship recently will give the team a morale boost to show their best. But the tournament is not only about winning the title. It is also about other noble objectives which we, in the UAE, consider ourselves responsible to achieve like spreading and improving the game in the region and to help other teams to gain experience and polish their raw talent," said Al Dhaheir, also the Tournament Director.
The competition starts at 4:45 when Kuwait, one of the best teams in the region, faces Bahrain in the opener at the Abu Dhabi Ice Rink. Kuwait is one of the oldest teams to introduce ice hockey in the region and a constant participant in the Asian championships. The UAE vs Oman match will commence from 7:30 at the same venue where entrance is free.
The squad: Ahmad Al Mazrouei( Captain), Khaled Al Suwaidi, Khalid Al Qubeissi, Mohammad Al Jashi, Ali Al Haddad, Ebrahim Budebs, Mohammad Al Shamsi, Mohammad Al Dhsheri, Faisal Al Suwaidi, Juma Al Dhaheri ( Stand in Captain), Ali Al Mazrouei, suahil Al Muhairy, Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Saeed Al Nuaimi, Obaid Al Muarrami, Abdulla Al Harmoudi, Khalifa Al Mahrouki, Salem Al Rumaithi, Omar Al Shamsi, Mohammad Al Zaabi, Faisal Al Bloushi and Ali Al Surour. Coach: Yury Faikov (Belarus).
