Kazakhstan smashed Thailand 52-1 to storm into the final four of the men's ice hockey event together with China and South Korea at the sixth Asian Winter Games on Monday.

The Kazaks, the top-ranked team in Asia, did not relax when they were facing the all-amateur Thailand team, scoring 20 times in the second period.

"We just performed as usual, nothing special," said Sagymbayev Yerlan, head coach of the Kazaks, who produced the largest goal difference here.

Thamwongsin Arthit shot in the only goal for Thailand on 47:15.

In the other two matches between the powerhouses and all-amateur teams, China beat Kuwait 11-1 while South Korea won over Malaysia 14-1.

The reigning champions Japan were the first to enter the top four of the tournament after struggling past their only group rivals North Korea 6-1 on Saturday.

In the women's second round competitions, North Korea suffered their second straight loss to Kazakhstan 1-6 after being edged by Japan 2-3 last Sunday while Japan trounced South Korea 29-0.

(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2007)