Last year's runner-up Thailand will not participate for the first time since the competition kicked off in 2008 and made their debut in Division III qualification tournament of the 2019 World Championships. Kuwait also participates in Division III qualification tournament and India unable to participate in the tournament due to lack of money. Only Oman returned after one year absence, bringing the number of participants reduced from nine to seven teams. Mongolia won the Challenge Cup of Asia for the second straight year, by defeating the Philippines in the final, while Singapore defeating hosts Malaysia, to win their first ever bronze medal in the tournament.[2]
Source: IIHF.com Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) result against closest best-ranked team outside tied teams; 6) result against second-best ranked team outside tied teams; 7) seeding before tournament. (H) Host
Source: IIHF.com Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) result against closest best-ranked team outside tied teams; 6) result against second-best ranked team outside tied teams; 7) seeding before tournament.
