NZ to Host Asia/Pacific IIHF World Championship Qualifier

New Zealand to Host Inline Hockey Asia/Pacific IIHF World Championship Qualifier

Senior Men’s inline hockey teams from New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and India will face off in a Round Robin style tournament in New Plymouth during April to determine who will qualify and join 15 other teams for the IIHF Inline Hockey World Championships in Slovakia in 2017.

The draw for the event has been confirmed with New Zealand set to play Malaysia on the opening day. The tournament runs from Thursday 21 April to 25 April 2016 and matches will take place at the New Plymouth Roller Sports Club arena at East End, New Plymouth, Taranaki.

New Zealand Inline Hockey Chairperson Barbara Baker says: “On behalf of New Zealand Inline Hockey Association (NZIHA) I am delighted New Zealand has been selected to host the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) inline qualifier. We would like to thank IIHF for this opportunity. Hosting this event is significant for our sport. It offers a great opportunity for our senior men to compete on the international stage in front of a home crowd. We wish them every success in their endeavour to win and earn the right to compete at IIHF World Championships 2017”.

Canada currently holds the title of World Champion taking out the title against host country Finland 4-2 at the last IIHF World Championship in Tampere, Finland in 2015.

Of the world championship qualifier participants, New Zealand has only met Japan previously when competing in the 2012 IIHF Inline Hockey World Championships in Division 1. In pool play NZL beat JPN 3-2. Japan reversed the result winning 3-2 in the play-off round. Neither team placed in the top four. Singapore, India and Malaysia are new contenders for qualification to play in 2017.

This is the first time New Zealand has attended a qualification since hosting in 2011 when the event was held in New Plymouth with visiting teams from South Africa and Chinese Taipei.

IIHF Inline Hockey Championship Asia – Pacific Qualifier Draw

Thursday, 21.04.2016 First Game Day

18.00 h JPN (1) – IND (3)20.00 h NZL (2) – MAS (4)

Friday, 22.04.2016 Second Game Day

18.00 h SIN (5) – JPN (1)20.00 h NZL (2) – IND (3)

Saturday, 23.04.2016 Third Game Day

18.00 h IND (3) – MAS (4)20.00 h SIN (5) – NZL (2)

Sunday, 24.04.2016 Fourth Game Day 18.00 h MAS (4) – JPN (1) 20.00 h IND (3) – SIN (5)

Monday, 25.04.2016 Fifth Game Day

18.00 h MAS (4) – SIN (5)

20.00 h JPN (1) – NZL (2)

ENDS

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