photo: © Tadamasa Nagayama
Thailand reigned supreme on home ice to enjoy a golden debut at the 2025 Ice Hockey U20 World Championship Division III Group B in Bangkok, Thailand.
In front of an enthusiastic home crowd, Thailand powered past Kyrgyzstan, scoring four goals in the second period and securing a 5-2 victory. Five different Thai players contributed to the scoring to clinch top spot with a game to spare.
Perfect in three games, the victory vaults Thailand to Division III Group A. Out of the gold-medal winning roster, 15 members are eligible to skate at a higher level next year.
Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, and South Africa joined hosts Thailand at Bangkok´s International Ice Arena as the quartet from three continents eyed a move upwards in the U20 category.
In the matchup for the top spot and promotion on Day Two, Kyrgyzstan got off to a spirited start versus the Thai hosts.
Tair Supokhunov barrelled along the left boards and picked out Alikhan Ali-Askarov, who converted the Kyrgyz opener from the slot during an even first period.
Kyrgyzstan aimed for a quick return to Division IIIA and started the second period strong. Failing to convert from their nineteen shots fired during that period proved costly. Instead, Thailand seized the opportunity and scored four goals in the second period from just ten shots. Achirawat Thongin drew even at 27:12 finishing a flying move when converting from the slot from a Nakrit Sutivijitho´s backhand pass.
Kyrgyzstan piled up the pressure on the powerplay, but right at the death of a successful penalty kill Thailand´s Chayaphon Jaratkorn picked up a loose puck from centre ice and muscled past Alikhan Kalchaev to grab a 2-1 lead.
Seizing control of the game, Thailand doubled their lead with two quickfire goals. Natapat Patong first broke through a cumbersome Kyrgyz defense to finish high on Emir Bolsunbekov´s catcher side. Just 22 seconds later, the Kyrgyzstan uphill struggle worsened when Thananutch Kulthanthorn did the work from behind the net and set up Phumrapee Prasertthanma who one-timed from the right faceoff circle, making it 4-1.
Three consecutive minor penalties in the final period dashed any hopes Kyrgyzstan had for a fightback. At 52:20, while working on a two-man advantage, Natchayatorn Yannakornthanapunt added gloss to the Thai victory with his 5-1 strike. 40 seconds from the end, Ali-Askarov added a late consolation for Kyrgyzstan, netting his second of the evening.
Earlier in the tournament Thailand showed no signs of stage fright as the debutants got off to a flying start with blueliner Yannakornthanapunt tallying a hat-trick and an assist in a commanding opening day 6-1 win versus Luxembourg.
Ken Kindborn´s roster rolled through the competition with a perfect record after converting a handful of first period goals in South Africa 8-2 victory in the closing game. Patong and Tanat Limpanyakul both scored two goals apiece.
Dominant Thailand also stood out in the individual awards. The top goalkeeper was Vijak Niyomvong with a 1.48 GAA and a save percentage of 95.71. 17-year-old Yannakornthanapunt was named as the best defenseman and finished as the top scorer with seven points (5+2) from three games. His teammate Patong, also had a successful tournament notching six points.
With an average of just 16.5 years, Kyrgyzstan finished in second place. They beat South Africa 7-2 in their opener before seeing off Luxembourg 5-2 on the final day. Abdumalik Sapitov was named as the top forward while 15-year-old Ali-Askarov shone in his debut, leading the Central Asians in scoring with a couple of goals and four assists.
South Africa arrived in Thailand aiming to secure their first win in U20 World Championship play since January 2020. In Bangkok, Gavin Smith´s coached team relinquished a 4-1 lead versus Luxembourg but fought back to win 7-6 in overtime with Raees Baker scoring the winning goal to finish third.
In Christer Eriksson´s debut on the Luxembourg bench, last season´s silver medalists had to settle for the one point gained versus the South Africans to finish fourth.
In front of an enthusiastic home crowd, Thailand powered past Kyrgyzstan, scoring four goals in the second period and securing a 5-2 victory. Five different Thai players contributed to the scoring to clinch top spot with a game to spare.
Perfect in three games, the victory vaults Thailand to Division III Group A. Out of the gold-medal winning roster, 15 members are eligible to skate at a higher level next year.
Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, and South Africa joined hosts Thailand at Bangkok´s International Ice Arena as the quartet from three continents eyed a move upwards in the U20 category.
In the matchup for the top spot and promotion on Day Two, Kyrgyzstan got off to a spirited start versus the Thai hosts.
Tair Supokhunov barrelled along the left boards and picked out Alikhan Ali-Askarov, who converted the Kyrgyz opener from the slot during an even first period.
Kyrgyzstan aimed for a quick return to Division IIIA and started the second period strong. Failing to convert from their nineteen shots fired during that period proved costly. Instead, Thailand seized the opportunity and scored four goals in the second period from just ten shots. Achirawat Thongin drew even at 27:12 finishing a flying move when converting from the slot from a Nakrit Sutivijitho´s backhand pass.
Kyrgyzstan piled up the pressure on the powerplay, but right at the death of a successful penalty kill Thailand´s Chayaphon Jaratkorn picked up a loose puck from centre ice and muscled past Alikhan Kalchaev to grab a 2-1 lead.
Seizing control of the game, Thailand doubled their lead with two quickfire goals. Natapat Patong first broke through a cumbersome Kyrgyz defense to finish high on Emir Bolsunbekov´s catcher side. Just 22 seconds later, the Kyrgyzstan uphill struggle worsened when Thananutch Kulthanthorn did the work from behind the net and set up Phumrapee Prasertthanma who one-timed from the right faceoff circle, making it 4-1.
Three consecutive minor penalties in the final period dashed any hopes Kyrgyzstan had for a fightback. At 52:20, while working on a two-man advantage, Natchayatorn Yannakornthanapunt added gloss to the Thai victory with his 5-1 strike. 40 seconds from the end, Ali-Askarov added a late consolation for Kyrgyzstan, netting his second of the evening.
Earlier in the tournament Thailand showed no signs of stage fright as the debutants got off to a flying start with blueliner Yannakornthanapunt tallying a hat-trick and an assist in a commanding opening day 6-1 win versus Luxembourg.
Ken Kindborn´s roster rolled through the competition with a perfect record after converting a handful of first period goals in South Africa 8-2 victory in the closing game. Patong and Tanat Limpanyakul both scored two goals apiece.
Dominant Thailand also stood out in the individual awards. The top goalkeeper was Vijak Niyomvong with a 1.48 GAA and a save percentage of 95.71. 17-year-old Yannakornthanapunt was named as the best defenseman and finished as the top scorer with seven points (5+2) from three games. His teammate Patong, also had a successful tournament notching six points.
With an average of just 16.5 years, Kyrgyzstan finished in second place. They beat South Africa 7-2 in their opener before seeing off Luxembourg 5-2 on the final day. Abdumalik Sapitov was named as the top forward while 15-year-old Ali-Askarov shone in his debut, leading the Central Asians in scoring with a couple of goals and four assists.
South Africa arrived in Thailand aiming to secure their first win in U20 World Championship play since January 2020. In Bangkok, Gavin Smith´s coached team relinquished a 4-1 lead versus Luxembourg but fought back to win 7-6 in overtime with Raees Baker scoring the winning goal to finish third.
In Christer Eriksson´s debut on the Luxembourg bench, last season´s silver medalists had to settle for the one point gained versus the South Africans to finish fourth.