The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have emerged as unbeaten champions at the 2023 IIHF World Championship Division 2, held in the city of Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. The tournament saw six teams compete over the course of a week, with the UAE finishing at the top of the standings with a perfect 5-0 record.
The UAE’s journey to the title began on April 19th with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Lithuania, with goals from Ahmed Al Dhaheri, Alain Sahi and Abdulrahman Al Nuaimi. They followed this up with another close victory on April 20th, defeating host nation Kazakhstan 4-3 in a thrilling encounter. A brace from Mohammad Al Mazrouei, along with goals from Khalid Al Tamimi and Abdullah Al Naqbi, helped the UAE secure the win.
The team then faced-off against Serbia on April 22nd, and produced their most dominant performance of the tournament, winning 6-1. Al Mazrouei once again starred for the UAE, scoring a hat-trick, while Al Dhaheri, Sahi and Saeed Al Marzooqi also found the back of the net.
The UAE’s fourth game of the tournament came against Australia on April 23rd, and saw them secure a comfortable 4-1 victory. Al Mazrouei continued his fine form, scoring two more goals, while Al Tamimi and Al Nuaimi also got on the scoresheet.
The UAE’s final game of the tournament came against Iceland on April 25th, and despite already being crowned champions, they continued their unbeaten run with a 3-1 win. Goals from Al Dhaheri, Al Mazrouei and Al Tamimi ensured that the UAE finished the tournament with a perfect record, and secured promotion to Division 1B for next year’s tournament.
The UAE’s success at the tournament is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team, who have been steadily improving their performances in recent years. The team’s coach, Jiri Vlcek, praised his players after their victory, stating that “they played with a lot of heart and showed great determination throughout the tournament”.
The UAE’s victory also highlights the growing popularity of ice hockey in the Middle East, and is sure to inspire a new generation of players in the region. With their promotion to Division 1B, the UAE will now face tougher competition next year, but they will no doubt be confident in their ability to compete at the higher level.
In conclusion, the UAE’s unbeaten championship win at the 2023 IIHF World Championship Division 2 is a historic achievement for the team and the country. Their hard work and dedication has paid off, and they can now look forward to testing themselves against even tougher opposition in Division 1B next year
