Al Shamsi scores five as UAE blitz Bahrain

Abu Dhabi: The hosts, UAE, trounced Bahrain 15-0 (6-0, 9-0 & 15-0) in a one-sided match in the ongoing Second GCC Ice Hockey Cup held at Abu Dhabi Ice Rink at Zayed Sports City late on Tuesday.

The UAE, reigning Asian and GCC Champions, showed their true worth and a stronger performance than their opener against Oman which they won 8-1 with Mohammad Al Shamsi scoring five goals, Omar Al Shamsi a hat-trick, a brace for Mohammad Al Shamsi while Dr Ahmad Al Mazrouei, Juma Al Daheri, Ali Al Sorour, Khalifa Al Mahrouki and Obaid Al Muharrami scored one goal each.

Mubarak Al Mazroui excelled in creating chances for his colleagues and made four assists while Ali Al Sorour and Suhail Al Muhairi made two assists each. Al Muhairi was the hosts' top scorer in the opener with a hat-trick which earned him the MVP title in that match.

"It is good to win with such a big score," Al Daheri, the stand-in captain of the UAE, said after the match. "We are on the right path to defend the title we won two years ago in Kuwait but mind you this tournament is not only about winning the title. It is also about providing chances for young players from our team and the other teams to gain experience and polish their talent.

"I am happy to see the determination and keenness of the youngsters in other teams, specially in Oman and Bahrain, trying to do their best despite the big differences between them and those of the UAE and Kuwait. I believe they will learn fast and progress." Al Daheri added.

Earlier, Kuwait were too good for Oman and defeated them 11-0(4-0, 6-0 &11-0) to establish themselves as the most serious contender to compete with the UAE for the title.

Hat-trick

Mishal Al Ajami was the hero of his team scoring a hat-trick and making three assists while his brothers Salem and Ahmad scored a brace each with their other brother Mohammad making three assists. Abdul Aziz Al Shtail, Mohammad Al Doaij, Abdullah Al Zedan and Yousuf Al Kandri scored a goal each.

Kuwait almost dominated the first and third periods and while the Omanis played better, especially in defence, in the second period they were not able to score a single goal because of haste and lack of experience bearing in mind it was only the second participation for the team outside Oman. The first was two years ago in the First GCC Cup in Kuwait in 2010.

"We are still in our first steps," Jehad Al Shaikh, the Head of Oman delegation, told Gulf News. " We came here to gain experience in our quest to improve the game."