Tehran, Iran, April 4, 2024: Iran’s women’s ice hockey team won the 2024 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Asia and Oceania Cup by defeating the Philippines 4-0 in the final in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Iran, who finished runners-up at the previous edition in 2023, were unstoppable as they beat the United Arab Emirates, Kyrgyzstan and India on their way to the final.
Asal Heydari, 31, starred for Team Melli, scoring eight goals in the tournament and finishing as top goal-scorer.
“We won a silver medal in Thailand last year, and earned the gold this time. I’m very happy that we won the title,” Heydari said. “I want to thank my teammates for helping me to win the best goal-scorer accolade.”
Last year Heydari made history when she signed up with Swedish club Hammarby IF. Heydari, who began playing inline hockey and started her ice hockey career in 2009, became the first Iranian woman to play in an overseas league.
