After breaking through slovakia, the Czech Republic and Italy, the Chinese team, which appeared for the first time in the Winter Paralympic Games, ushered in the final qualification match on the evening of March 9. Facing the old rival Czech Republic in the group stage, the Chinese Paralympic ice hockey team played steadily in this game, defeating the Czech Republic again 4-3 and getting a ticket to the semi-finals.
In front of the goal, the Chinese players gathered in a circle and shouted in unison "Come on! ”
In this game, the Chinese team sent Xu Jinqiang, Wang Zhidong, Shen Yifeng and other starters. 40 minutes before the start of the match, the "cheers" of the Chinese team members shouted in unison resounded throughout the National Stadium, showing the domineering spirit of "must win". In the first set of the game, the two sides were in a stalemate, and the Chinese team had a free kick opportunity, but Shen Yifeng's shot was blocked by the Czech goalkeeper. At 6 minutes and 48 seconds, Wang Zhidong scored the first goal of the game with the assistance of captain Cui Yutao. Less than 2 minutes later, the Czech team hit back strongly and pulled back a point. With a 1-1 score, both sides advanced to the second set. China's Tian Jintao scored a goal first to break the deadlock and extend the score to 2-1. Less than 30 seconds into the start of the third inning, Shen Yifeng's lightning strike extended the lead to 3-1 again, after which the Czech team seized the opportunity to counter-attack and scored two goals in a row to tie the score. After that, the Chinese team reorganized its attack, and less than 2 minutes before the end of the game, Wang Zhidong contributed his second goal of the match, and finally locked the score at 4-3.
Wang Zhidong (right) scored his first goal and celebrated with assists Cui Yutao (left) and Lui Chi (center).
Founded in 2016, the Chinese Paralympic Ice Hockey Team made its debut at the Winter Paralympic Games. The participating teams of the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games are divided into two groups, A and B, Canada, the United States and South Korea are in Group A, and the Chinese team is in Group B with the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Italy. In the first match, the Chinese team defeated slovakia 7-0, and then broke the Czech Republic and Italy 5-2, 6-0 consecutively, and advanced to the final qualifiers with a total victory of 3 games and the first place in the group.
After winning this battle, according to the schedule, on the evening of March 11, the Chinese Paralympic ice hockey team will compete with the top team in Group A for the final ticket in the semi-finals, which will be the most severe challenge for the Chinese Paralympic ice hockey team at this Winter Paralympic Games. The U.S. Paralympic ice hockey team has won three consecutive championships at the three Winter Paralympic Games in Vancouver, Sochi and Pingchang.
For more information, please pay attention to the Winter Paralympic Games Journal
Courtesy of Visual China
Source: Winter Paralympic Games Proceedings | Reporter Ren Shan Li Junxuan
Process Edit: U022