UAE to host Oman in ice-hockey opener

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 today. The UAE, who won the Asian Championship less than a month ago in India, are clear favourites for the event, 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 Daheri, 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." Al Daheri, also the Tournament Director, said. The competition starts at 4.45pm when Kuwait, one of the best teams in the region, face Bahrain in the opener at the Abu Dhabi Ice Rink. Kuwait boast one of the oldest teams to introduce ice hockey in the region.The UAE squad: Ahmad Al Mazroui (Captain), Khalid Al Suwaidi, Khalid Al Qubaisi, Mohammad Al Jashi, Ali Al Haddad, Ebrahim Budebs, Mohammad Al Shamsi, Mohammad Al Daheri, Faisal Al Suwaidi, Juma Al Daheri (Stand in Captain), Ali Al Mazroui, Suahil Al Muhairi, Mubarak Al Mazroui, Saeed Al Nuaimi, Obaid Al Muarrami, Abdullah Al Harmoudi, Khalifa Al Mahrouki, Salem Al Rumaithi, Omar Al Shamsi, Mohammad Al Za'abi, Faisal Al Bloushi and Ali Al Surour. Coach: Yury Faikov (Belarus).