CHANGCHUN, Northeast China, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait smashed an all-amateur team of Macao, China with 15-2 on the first day of the men's ice hockey competition here at the 6th Asian Winter Games on Friday.

    "We played a good match," said Jan Brychta, head coach of the Kuwaiti team. "But I don't think this will be the largest score of the tournament, as there are many good teams here."

    The Kuwaiti team scored seven of their 15 goals in the second period, setting a mark of 10-0 before the third period.

    Although winning by a big margin, Brychta was very cautious to their next clash with China.

    "We did make many mistakes in this game. We will watch the tape of the game to figure them out," he said. "Any mistake will lead to a failure in the game against China."

    The Macao team, made up of all amateurs, fought to the end and shot in two goals in the last three minutes despite of trailing by 10 goals.

    "Our team played very well," said Yan Dong, coach of the Macao team. "They are all amateurs and lack training. Most of them are college students and we also have policemen and others in the team."

    Chon Ka Miu, who shot in the first goal of the team, is a student from Jinan University in Guangzhou.

    "This is the largest and most high-leveled tournament we have ever competed in," he said. "So we are here just to show our abilities. Competing with other strong teams made us more tough in mind and more united."

    The men's ice hockey competition, featuring 11 teams, was the first event to start at the 6th Asian Winter Games which officially open on January 28.