ISTANBUL - The national men's team played its second match at the IIHF World’s in division 2B in Turkish Istanbul today, Tuesday 18 April. The second opponent of the Belgians was the United Arab Emirates team.
Promoted to DIV2B after a successful tournament in DIV3A last year and with a team roster full of Russian-sounding names, Team UAE showed in the first game against hosts Turkey with an 8-0 victory that they have a lot of hockey power.
Team UAE’s fit hit happened shortly in the first period. Barely a minute into the game, Ali Al Haddid scores the first goal for Team UAE, assisted by teammates Artem Klavdiev and Luka Vukoja. In the fourth minute, the second goal by Ilia Chuikov followed on assist from Sergei Kuznetsov and Mate Tomljenovic.
When Jeffie Versin is sent to the penalty box for hooking in the second period, Team UAE strikes again by using the power play to the fullest. Kuznetsov scores assisted by Maxim Zhakharau. Halfway through the period, coach Jeffrey Van Iersel changes his goalies. Arne Waumans out, Jelle Lievens in. Four minutes later, Alexander Usenko scores the fourth goal for the Emirates. However, a minute later, Iniaz Steyaert retaliates and scores the first goal for the Belgians. Dries Blockx and Alec James took care of the preparatory work.
In the seventh minute of the third period, the Belgians get two more opportunities to score. Two power plays in a row. The first without result, however, the second is bingo, again Steyaert who hits the puck in the UAE nets, set up by Vadim Gyesbreghs and Alec James. With five minutes left on the clock, Gyesbreghs can close the gap even further. The Belgians are therefore looking for the equalizer to drag the game into overtime. Goalie Lievens is replaced by a sixth player. The Belgians put the pressure on their opponent's goal. In vain, however. They narrowly lose this match against a strong opponent.
Coach Jeffrey Van Iersel is short in his comments. “We had a bad start and it costed us dearly while the opponents’ goalie excelled in net as well.”
Final score BEL vs. UAE: 3-4 (0-2; 1-2; 2-0) with goals from Iniaz Steyaert (2) & Vadim Gyesbreghs.
MVP Match Team Belgium: #22 Iniaz Steyaert
Game Schedule
MON 17/04 – 12:00
NZL vs. BEL: 1-4
TUE 18/04 – 15:30
BEL vs. UAE: 3-4
THU 20/04 – 15:30
BEL vs. MEX
FRI 21/04 – 19:00
TUR vs. BEL
SUN 23/04 – 15:30
BEL vs. BUL