Zagreb, April 29 (Xinhua) -- On the 29th, the Chinese men's ice hockey team defeated the host Croatia 5:1 in the third match of The Second Division A of the 2022 World Men's Ice Hockey Championships, thus winning the championship in the first round with a record of three wins and returning to the First Division of the World Championships after 15 years.
Chinese player Jian'an (right) breaks through with the ball during a match on April 29. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Pixsell Photo/Luka Stanzl)
Before this match, China and Croatia tied for the first place in the group with two wins, followed by the Dutch team with two wins and one loss, the Spain team with one win and two losses, and the Israeli team with three losses. Therefore, the result of this match is very important to the Chinese team, if the victory over Croatia, the Chinese team will win the world championship in the early round; if the Croatian team wins, the Chinese team must defeat the Spanish team in the last game, and also determine the final ranking according to the result of the Dutch team against croatia.
In the first quarter, the Chinese team had the advantage in the scene, leading 14:9 in the number of shots on target, but unfortunately failed to score.
In the fifth minute of the second quarter, China's Wang Taylor shot caused the Croatian goalkeeper to save the ball, and Shen Jialei scored to break the deadlock. Four minutes later, Jian'an scored from mid-range on the left. Subsequently, the Croatian players fouled, and the Chinese team seized more and less opportunities, and the striker Fu will score the goal. Five minutes later, Fu will score another goal and China ended the quarter 4-0.
In the 4th minute of the last quarter, Kelios cut in front of the left side of the highway, and the Chinese team led by 5 goals. Croatia's Bruno Fokkur then pulled a goal back. In the end, the Chinese team defeated Croatia 5:1 to win the championship early.
Chinese player Zheng Enlai (right) scrambles for a match on April 29. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Pixsell Photo/Luka Stanzl)
Chinese team leader Wang Xuan said after the game that the Chinese team played better than one game after three games. The team members have a strong style, excellent technology, skillful cooperation, and are a very good team.
The Chinese ambassador to Croatia Qi Qianqian and some embassy staff came to the scene to cheer for the Chinese team, and exchanged views with the Chinese team members after the game to congratulate the Chinese team on winning. He said that this competition is not only an exchange between the athletes of the two countries, but also conducive to promoting and consolidating the friendship between the two peoples. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Croatia, I wish that the friendly cooperation between the two countries will achieve greater achievements.
On the 30th, the Chinese team will compete with the Spanish team for the final match of the World Championships.
(Xinhua Sports)