In a commanding display, China secured a 5-0 victory over Kazakhstan in their opening match at the first-ever International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women's Asia Championship. The event, held at Beijing's Shougang Park, saw China set the pace early and maintain their dominance throughout the game.
The match kicked off with an explosive start as China's Qu Yue netted a goal just 56 seconds into the game. The momentum continued as teammates Zhang Biyang and Fang Xin added two more goals in the first period, giving China a solid 3-0 lead. Demonstrating their depth and skill, the Chinese team extended their advantage further in both the second and third periods, ultimately closing the game with a resounding 5-0 scoreline.
China's captain, Yu Baiwei, praised her team's performance, stating, \"It was a good start for our team. Young players made goals and assists in this high-level event to gain experience and confidence. We are looking forward to competing with Japan and other great teams, which can help us tap our potential. The whole team will fight to the end.\"
In the other fixture, Japan showcased their strength by defeating South Korea 12-0. Japan opened the scoring with two goals in the first six minutes and continued their relentless offense with seven more goals in the second period alone.
Among the four teams participating, Japan stands out as the highest-ranked team in the tournament at world No. 7, followed by China at 12th place. The championship is set to continue on Saturday with China facing South Korea and Japan taking on Kazakhstan in what promises to be thrilling encounters.
The Shougang Park venue, previously transformed to host the World Table Tennis China Smash just a month ago, provided a dynamic backdrop for the championship. Known for hosting the Big Air Shougang event during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the park continues to be a hub for major international sporting events.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com