Asia Cup Indoor Hockey Champions Iran, runners-up Kazakshtan and bronze medallists Qatar team players and officials pose for a photograph following the presentation ceremony at the Aspire Dome yesterday. Picture: Kamutty VP/The Peninsula
Iran and Kazakshtan claimed men and women titles after winning their respective finals while hosts Qatar earned a maiden medal at the Asia Cup Indoor Hockey Championship, which concluded in Doha yesterday.
As many as 10 continental teams took part in both events which were held simultaneously at Aspire Dome.
Iran won their seventh consecutive men's title with a 10-1 victory as Kazakhstan looked a complete mismatch in the title-deciding match, which was watched by a decent number of spectators.
Iran, who remained unbeaten in Doha contest, dominated their counterparts throughout the match and scored 5 goals in each half to win the final. Kazakhstan got their consolation goal in the second half.
Kazakhstan, however, will return home with at least one gold medal after their women's team prevailed over Malaysia, winning the final 2-0 to retain their title. They scored one goal in each session as Malaysia's defensive display failed them in the vital game.
Meanwhile, hosts Qatar also finished the five-day contest on a high note, defeating Uzbekistan 5-3 in the clash for third position.
Sheeraz Ali was the star performer with a brace of goals while Sohail Mustafa, Shahid Jamal and Tariq Nazeer were the other goal scorers. It was Qatar's first podium finish at Asian level.
"I am very happy with the results and overall performance of the team," team's head coach Maggid Abu Talib told The Peninsula.
"Our team is relatively inexperienced but still it did a good job to win bronze medal. I believe this team has a way to go both in field and indoor hockey," said the coach.
"This team needs more international exposure and after getting that experience I am confident Qatar can become one of the major teams in Asia," he added.
Qatar's last best show came in Kazakhstan two years ago when they secured fourth position.
Earlier, Malaysia beat Oman 7-5 in the fifth place play-off while Thailand defeated Chinese Taipei 7-5 to secure the seventh place of the men's tournament.
In the women's contest, Thailand overcame South Korea 3-1 in a penalty stroke to be placed third after the full time scores read five-all.
Uzbekistan easily outplayed China 14-0 to secure the fifth position after leading 7-0 at half time.
