Dubai Camels confident ahead of Emirates Hockey League showdown with Al Ain Theebs

Both sides have 100 per cent records after two rounds of the league, while Dubai Vipers are 10-4 winners over Abu Dhabi Storm.

Juma Al Dhaheri, centre, is hoping to stop the Belarus President's Team in their tracks this season. Reem Mohammed / The National

Dubai Camels are confident they can make it three wins out of three when they face Al Ain Theebs, the only other side with a 100 per cent record in the Emirates Hockey League, (EHL) next week.

The Camels were 7-3 victors over Dubai White Bears in their match on Tuesday at Al Ain Ice Rink, with the Theebs overcoming Abu Dhabi Scorpions 5-3.

Ron Murphy, the Camels captain, said the team’s early success was a “good start” as they now prepare for a top of the table clash with Theebs in Al Ain on October 20.

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Read more

• Good start for Al Ain Theebs and Dubai White Bears
• Abu Dhabi Storms aim to be a finishing school for UAE hockey players

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“We have a little bit confidence going for us here after the two games,” said Murphy. “The Theebs are next for us and they are on two wins too. They have three or four amazing hockey players and if we can shut them out I think we would be okay.”

However the Canadian, who has played in every season since the EHL was founded in 2009/2010, knows all teams know each other’s game well.

“White Bears were without a couple of good players and they will be a different team when they rejoin the team and with a few new players expected to join them,” added Murphy. “Nevertheless, it was a really good start for us and a really good team effort with everyone chipping in for the good result.”

Two goals each from Connor Mikinley and EHL debutant Chris Doolan along with efforts from Ross MacMillan, Kareem Hamza and Alex Riggs gave the Camels the victory. Troy Kahler scored twice for White Bears, with Antonin Blecha also on target.

Omar Ali Al Shamsi netted twice and Artsiom Karkotski scored another in just over three minutes of play in the first period to set the platform for Theebs to prevail in their match over Scorpions.

Hazza Al Saadi and Artur Zainutdinov also found the net for Theebs, with the consolation goals for the Scorpions coming from Milan Rabas, Kyle Frederick and Lubomir Zeleny.

In the other game this week, at the Dubai Ice Rink on Wednesday, Dubai Vipers scored six unanswered goals in seven minutes of the last period to emerge 10-4 winners over Abu Dhabi Storms.

Vipers were 3-0 up through Luca Ciani, KC Finnegan and Janne Lehtosala before a double strike from Mikhail Klimin saw them go into the break 3-2.

Jan Sarelin made it 4-2 and Juma Al Dhaheri, the UAE captain, was on target with a fine solo effort for a 4-3 score at the end of the second period.

Sergei Belov levelled the score for Storms in the second minute of the final period but the Vipers then took charge.

Chris Alederman put them ahead followed by goals from Shawn Berg, Finnegan, Lehtosala, Matti Kasi and Ciani.