WC: IIHF Division IV world championship

[Albatros]

Ice Hockey is actually quite popular in Mongolia. Their problem was infrastructure. They mostly trained and played outdoors which limited their playing time in the winter time which can be very severe in Mongolia. The recently built stadium they are using to host the event is the first indoor stadium in their country that can house a substantial number of fans.

It was something that was played recreationally in winter, some after picking it up in Russia, but few structures or youth development to speak of. Currently those particular weaknesses seem to be addressed quite well for a bottom-tier hockey nation and if they do there's no reason why they couldn't take significant steps forward. Even compared to China their development strategy is more coherent albeit with much lesser resources.

 

[kaiser matias]

I think the new arena in Mongolia will really help the country out, and they could become a solid lower-tier country (meaning Division IIIA/B). They clearly have the commitment and drive, as the players were willing to play outdoors until this year, and the crows for the games are also really encouraging. Getting 300+ to a non-host game at one of these events is a great turnout, and the IIHF and Mongolian federation must be really happy with that.

 

[Lakas]

The margin of victory for the Philippines over Mongolia should have been bigger but the host team was getting an extraordinary amount of calls benefitting them so the Philippine players spent an excessive amount of time in the penalty box and on the PK.

They looked gassed after killing back to back penalties in the 2nd period. I think they played almost all of the 2nd period and a good amount of the 3rd on the PK. Good to see them pull off a win in the end.

 

[cjeagle]

I think the new arena in Mongolia will really help the country out, and they could become a solid lower-tier country (meaning Division IIIA/B). They clearly have the commitment and drive, as the players were willing to play outdoors until this year, and the crows for the games are also really encouraging. Getting 300+ to a non-host game at one of these events is a great turnout, and the IIHF and Mongolian federation must be really happy with that.

Those non host games(in this case Philippines vs Indonesia) though were attended in many cases by Mongolian military personnel so the numbers might have been artificially inflated and Philippine national teams who play abroad usually attract a small crowd of expatriates, the player's families who travel to watch them play and embassy personnel.

 

[MeHateHe]

I think the new arena in Mongolia will really help the country out, and they could become a solid lower-tier country (meaning Division IIIA/B). They clearly have the commitment and drive, as the players were willing to play outdoors until this year, and the crows for the games are also really encouraging. Getting 300+ to a non-host game at one of these events is a great turnout, and the IIHF and Mongolian federation must be really happy with that.

It's one of the better looking rinks I've seen host in a tournament this far down the ladder.

 

[Albatros]

I think the new arena in Mongolia will really help the country out, and they could become a solid lower-tier country (meaning Division IIIA/B). They clearly have the commitment and drive, as the players were willing to play outdoors until this year, and the crows for the games are also really encouraging. Getting 300+ to a non-host game at one of these events is a great turnout, and the IIHF and Mongolian federation must be really happy with that.

There have been countries in IIA with worse conditions in many regards, of course they will not be there in five years if ever, but as long as they don't abandon what they already in part do have then they should be trending up quite well and Div III doesn't have to be the ceiling by any means.

 

[kaiser matias]

Those non host games(in this case Philippines vs Indonesia) though were attended in many cases by Mongolian military personnel so the numbers might have been artificially inflated and Philippine national teams who play abroad usually attract a small crowd of expatriates, the player's families who travel to watch them play and embassy personnel.

I know there's a large Filipino community abroad, but is there really enough in Mongolia to watch an event like this? And no embassy in Ulaanbaatar (just an honorary consulate, which likely has 1 or 2 staff), so no viewers from there.

Even with the military inflating the attendance, that still bodes well. People watching the game is always a good thing, and helps get it out there.

 

[cjeagle]

I know there's a large Filipino community abroad, but is there really enough in Mongolia to watch an event like this? And no embassy in Ulaanbaatar (just an honorary consulate, which likely has 1 or 2 staff), so no viewers from there.

Even with the military inflating the attendance, that still bodes well. People watching the game is always a good thing, and helps get it out there.

I agree. It is still a good thing. The people taking pictures are probably family and friends. It is funny though. The guy waving the tiny Philippine flag on the left looks Mongolian and didn't really look that happy doing it. I am glad for the support though.

 

[kcunac]

Indonesia had a very disappointing showing in this tournament. I play with many of these guys and they looked like they lacked confidence. Hopefully they can rebound.

 

[Albatros]

I probably watched Indonesia for no more than a minute, but my impression was that they had a bunch of very young teenagers and a couple of rather mature gentlemen. It's easy to imagine that in a couple of years these kids have as good as all quit hockey and there's a new insecure crop of young players instead.

 

[cjeagle]

They looked gassed after killing back to back penalties in the 2nd period. I think they played almost all of the 2nd period and a good amount of the 3rd on the PK. Good to see them pull off a win in the end.

Indeed. The Philippines took an early 3-0 lead and again later in the third period but all those penalties courtesy of the biased referee allowed the host team to catch up. The Philippines had to make that early final goal in OT to clinch it.