The 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s Asia Championship is heating up, and Day 2 delivered two jaw-dropping shutouts that have set the stage for an epic finale. Japan and China emerged as the teams to beat, leaving their opponents in the dust with dominant performances. But here's where it gets controversial—while Japan’s victory was expected, China’s shutout against Kazakhstan has sparked debates about the host team’s strategy and future prospects. Could this be a turning point for women’s hockey in Asia? Let’s dive into the action.
Japan’s Unstoppable Force
On Friday, Japan continued its reign of dominance with a 7-0 victory over Korea, showcasing a blend of teamwork and individual brilliance. The Noro twins, Riri and Rio, stole the spotlight in the first period, scoring four goals that left Korea reeling. Riri Noro, named Japan’s best player, notched two goals and an assist, while Rio secured her first goal of the tournament. Yumeka Wajima, Rui Ukita, Wakana Kurosu, and Haruka Toku also found the net, cementing Japan’s control.
Japan’s puck possession was relentless, with Wajima opening the scoring at 4:16 after a pinpoint pass from Riri Noro. The Noro sisters then capitalized on power plays, with Rio scoring at 7:58 and Riri adding another at 13:24. Riri’s second goal, a powerful one-timer, highlighted Japan’s offensive prowess. Despite Korea’s captain, Selin Kim, being named her team’s best player, the outcome was a marked improvement from last year’s 12-0 loss to Japan.
China’s Strategic Masterclass
In the late game, China handed Kazakhstan a 6-0 defeat in front of 1,155 fans at the Boris Alexandrov Sport Palace. While the score suggests a lopsided match, the shots on goal were a narrow 35-33 in China’s favor, proving this was no walk in the park. Goaltender Guimin Lai, named China’s best player, was the difference-maker, shutting down Kazakhstan’s attacks.
Kazakhstan, despite losing 5-0 to China last year, kept the game close early on, conceding only one goal in the first period—an unassisted effort by Jinglei Yang. However, China pulled away in the second period, with Biyang Zhang and Wenxaio Yue scoring their first goals of the tournament. A five-minute major penalty against Kazakhstan’s Malika Aldabergenova in the third period allowed China to capitalize with two power-play goals, sealing the victory.
Tournament Standings and Scoring Leaders
With one day left, Japan dominates the scoring race, occupying 11 of the top 12 spots. Haruka Toku leads with five points (2 goals, 3 assists), followed by Riri Noro (4 points) and Yumeka Wajima (4 points). Outside of Japan, Chinese defender Qinan Zhao stands out with a goal and an assist.
The standings after Day 2 are:
- Japan: 6 pts (2-0-0-0)
- China: 5 pts (1-1-0-0)
- Korea: 1 pt (0-0-1-1)
- Kazakhstan: 0 pts (0-0-0-2)
The Final Showdown
The tournament concludes on Saturday with Japan and China battling for first place at 14:00 local time (UTC+5). Later, Korea and Kazakhstan will face off for third place at 17:30. Will Japan maintain its undefeated streak, or will China pull off an upset? And this is the part most people miss—Kazakhstan’s performance, though winless, shows growth in a region where women’s hockey is still evolving. Could this be the start of a new era?
Thought-Provoking Question
As the tournament wraps up, we’re left wondering: Is Japan’s dominance a testament to their skill, or does it highlight a lack of competition in the region? And can Kazakhstan’s close games against powerhouse teams signal a brighter future for women’s hockey in Central Asia? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take!
