Kazakhstan smashed Thailand 52-1 to storm into the final four of
the men's ice hockey event together with China and South Korea at
the sixth Asian Winter Games on Monday.
The Kazaks, the top-ranked team in Asia, did not relax when they
were facing the all-amateur Thailand team, scoring 20 times in the
second period.
"We just performed as usual, nothing special," said Sagymbayev
Yerlan, head coach of the Kazaks, who produced the largest goal
difference here.
Thamwongsin Arthit shot in the only goal for Thailand on
47:15.
In the other two matches between the powerhouses and all-amateur
teams, China beat Kuwait 11-1 while South Korea won over Malaysia
14-1.
The reigning champions Japan were the first to enter the top
four of the tournament after struggling past their only group
rivals?North Korea 6-1 on Saturday.
In the women's second round competitions,?North Korea
suffered their second straight loss to Kazakhstan 1-6 after being
edged by Japan 2-3 last Sunday while Japan trounced South Korea
29-0.
(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2007)