Xinhua News Agency, Harbin, February 3 (Reporters Hu Jiali and Li Chunyu) Only four days before the opening of the 9th Asian Winter Games, the ice hockey event was the first to compete on the 3rd. On the same day, the opening match of the men's group started in the Harbin Ice Hockey Hall. Kyrgyzstan narrowly defeated Kuwait 9:8 with an overtime goal, winning a "good start".

On February 3, Kuwait ice hockey player Valeri Budzevic (right) fought in the game. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Jianwei

At the beginning of the game, Kuwait's Tsbin scored first in the fourth minute. Subsequently, Kyrgyzstan quickly counterattacked, scoring three goals in a row to overtake, while Kuwait shot back with three goals. At the end of the first quarter, Zbin made another contribution, helping Kuwait enter the second quarter with a two-goal advantage.

In the second quarter, Kuwait's offensive was thriving, scoring two more goals to lead 7:3. Kyrgyzstan immediately made a substitution adjustment, and goalkeeper Vasilev, who was only 16 years old, came on as a substitute. The personnel adjustment became the turning point of the game. Kyrgyzstan chased two goals in a row and tied the score to 7:7 in the third quarter.

Thereafter, Kuwait took the lead again, while Kyrgyzstan fell into a scoring drought. In the last two minutes of the game, Kyrgyzstan made a desperate bet, replaced the goalkeeper, and the six offensive players on the field made their best. In the end, forward Folov equalized the score 34 seconds before the end of the game, dragging the game into overtime.

In overtime, Saifolov continued his hot state and scored again in the 19th second, helping Kyrgyzstan win in the reverse victory.

On February 3, Kyrgyzstan Ice Hockey Team player Sai Folov (second from right) was in the game. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Jianwei

After the game, Kyrgyzstan player Ismanov said: "Today's victory is hard-won. Thanks to the support of the fans and Chinese audiences. This is my first time participating in the Asian Winter Games. Harbin's food, brand new venues and fierce competition impressed me. I believe we can play better in the next game."

On the same day, in the other two games of the men's group, Singapore defeated Bahrain 20:1, and China's Hong Kong team defeated China and Macau 26:1.

The women's group competition was held at the Harbin Sports College Student Skating Hall. The Taipei team in China defeated the Thailand team 4:1, and the Hong Kong team in China lost to the Kazakhstan team 0:12. Mo Xilin, goalkeeper of the Chinese Hong Kong team, said: "We have been working hard throughout the game, but we still need to do better. There are not many ice rinks in Hong Kong, but we should strengthen training as much as possible and improve our abilities. The city of Harbin is beautiful and the venue facilities are perfect. I hope I can perform better in the next game."

On February 3, the players of the Chinese Hong Kong women's ice hockey team ended. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Zhenhai

On the 4th, the Chinese men's ice hockey team will play against the South Korean team. In addition, the Chinese women's ice hockey team and the Japanese team are preparing for the women's ice hockey qualifiers for the Milan Winter Olympics held in Hokkaido, Japan from the 6th to the 9th. The two teams will join the Asian Winter Games after the qualifiers.