S. Korea to host Sweden in women's hockey friendlies
SEOUL, July 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will host Sweden in two women's hockey friendly games later this month, officials said Wednesday.
The Korea Ice Hockey Association (KIHA) said the 22nd-ranked South Korea and No. 5-ranked Sweden will meet on July 28 and 29 at Gangneung Hockey Centre in Gangneung, some 230 kilometers east of Seoul. The puck drop for the first game is 7 p.m., and the second game starts at 3 p.m.
The two countries will also clash in the preliminary round at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics next February. They're in Group B, along with Switzerland and Japan.
South Korea received a spot as the host and will make its Olympic debut on home ice. Sweden qualified by ranking inside the top five after the 2016 IIHF Women's World Championship.
Coached by former U.S. collegiate standout Sarah Murray, South Korea has taken major strides this year. In April, South Korea won the IIFH Women's World Championship Division II Group A tournament as the host, and earned a promotion to the next level of competition, Division I Group B, for the first time.
Sweden has stayed at world No. 5 since 2014 and hasn't fallen out of the top 10 in the last 10 years. Sweden has competed in every Olympics since the women's tournament was introduced in 1998.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
(News Focus) Samsung's Lee expected to solidify leadership, step up biz activities after receiving pardon
-
S. Korea expresses deep regret over Japanese PM's offering to war shrine
-
(LEAD) Yoon pledges to improve ties with Japan, offers economic aid in exchange for N.K. denuclearization
-
(LEAD) Bill Gates calls for S. Korea to play leading role in global health cooperation
-
Jungkook, first runner of BTS' photo album project
-
(2nd LD) Samsung heir Lee granted special presidential pardon
-
(News Focus) Samsung's Lee expected to solidify leadership, step up biz activities after receiving pardon
-
(LEAD) Yoon pledges to improve ties with Japan, offers economic aid in exchange for N.K. denuclearization
-
Today in Korean history
-
Ex-ruling party chair takes swipe at Yoon amid legal action over leadership switch
-
Busan mayor proposes allowing alternative military services for BTS
-
Preorders for BLACKPINK's second LP surpass 1.5 mln copies
-
(LEAD) New COVID-19 cases near 180,000; imported cases hit record high
-
Daegu military air base to be relocated to nearby area by 2030 under 11.4 tln-won project
-
S. Korea's new COVID-19 cases over 170,000 for 2nd day