MUSCAT: Oman's youth hockey team commenced their campaign in the 2024 Men’s and Women’s Junior Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) Cup 2024 with a resounding 5-1 victory over Kazakhstan. The match was played as part of the 2024 Men's and Women's junior AHF Cup, which is being underway in Singapore till June 23.
Oman drawn in Group B alongside with China, Hong Kong, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Chinese Taipei. Group A comprised from Bangladesh, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Singapore, and Cambodia teams. The women's group featured Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The top five teams from each group will advance to the Asian Youth Men's and Women's Hockey Championships, targeting players born in 2003.
Back to Oman and Kazakhstan match, the first quarter saw clear dominance from Oman, and attacks on Kazakhstan's goal quickly followed. Khader Al Nofli opened the scoring in the eighth minute, followed by a second goal from Talal Bait Hazim in the 15th minute, ending the first quarter with Oman leading 2-0.
The second quarter witnessed a relative difference in performance between the two teams, as Kazakhstan scored their first goal from a penalty corner through Aigymty Dozakhenszy in the 16th minute. However, Oman regained control of the match and scored the third goal through Ayman Faraj in the 28th minute, ending the second quarter with a 3-1 score in Oman's favor.
At the start of the third quarter, Kazakhstan tried to reduce the loss, but Oman's defense was up to the task. Ayman Faraj scored the fourth goal in the 37th minute, ending the third quarter with a 4-1 score.
In the fourth quarter, Ayman Faraj added the fifth goal in the 53rd minute, while Kazakhstan looked exhausted and retreated into their defensive areas. Oman continued to press for more goals, but the match ended with Oman winning 5-1.
Player Khader Al Nofli expressed his happiness with the team's victory in the opening of the Asian Hockey Federation Cup. Al Nofli pointed to the players' outstanding performance and commitment to the coach's instructions as the reason for this victory, emphasizing the importance of the training camps that preceded the tournament in raising the players' technical and physical readiness.
Al Nofli also noted that this tournament is a great opportunity to get to know the participating Asian teams and build good relations with them in the field of the game.
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