India Wins First Game in 5 Years, Kuwait Scores 8

The 2017 Division I Challenge Cup of Asia event in Kuwait saw India take their first international hockey victory in five years, a 3-2 win over Oman.

Prior to playing in the tournament this year, India had played in 33 games internationally, winning one single game against Macau at the 2012 Challenge Cup of Asia tournament. Since then, the team has struggled for victories and financial support, so a good tournament in Kuwait could help them long term.

It started off in the best way possible with a win over Oman. The game started well for the club, with Tsewang Dorjey scoring his first of two markers at 4:08 in the first. The lead would hold for nearly half a game until Ibrahim Al Gabashi, who scored four times at the 2015 CCOA event, beat Nawang Dorje at 27:09. Then, four minutes later, Adham Al Busaidi made it 2-1 to give Oman the lead, a lead they hoped to hold on to for the rest of the game.

But that didn't happen. At 51:39, Dorjey scored his second of the night, only to be followed by Rigzin Norboo with three minutes to go to make it 3-2. India poured on the pressure so Oman couldn't pull their goalie, with India eventually taking the victory.

In the later game, the hosts from Kuwait easily beat Macau 8-0. Jasem Alawahdi was named the best player for Kuwait with a four point performance, but Ahmad Al Ajmi played a major part in the contest with seven points, four of them goals. Jasem Al Sarraf easily stopped all six shots that he faced for Kuwait, whily Man Long Leung deflected away 33 for Macau.

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