Uzbekistan secures historic victory in WJCU18 Division III B

The Uzbekistan team demonstrated its superiority throughout the tournament with an impressive series of victories. They overpowered South Africa (12-0), Luxembourg (12-1), Turkmenistan (8-2), and Bosnia and Herzegovina (11-3). The decisive match against Thailand proved to be the ultimate test, as Uzbekistan emerged victorious with a narrow 3-2 win.

This was not the first encounter between Uzbekistan and Thailand at the junior level. In April 2024, the two teams met at the Asia-Oceania Cup in Tashkent and Samarkand. Uzbekistan triumphed over Thailand twice in that tournament, first securing a 7-5 victory in the group stage and then clinching the championship with a 2-1 win in the final. The 2025 IIHF U18 Division III B final proved equally competitive, with Uzbekistan sealing the win in the final minutes.

The championship saw stellar performances from Uzbekistan’s players, particularly team captain Jasurbek Rustamkhonov. He was the tournament’s top scorer, amassing 22 points (14 goals, 8 assists) across five matches and earning the title of Best Player of the Tournament. Rustamkhonov, along with young talent Salokhiddin Azimov, honed their skills in the Czech Republic, while the rest of the team primarily plays for the Tashkent Select team in the Kazakhstan youth league.

Goalkeeper Rustam Irgashev also delivered exceptional performances, earning recognition as the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament. His crucial saves played a vital role in securing Uzbekistan’s championship title.

The final match against Thailand was an intense battle. Thailand took an early lead midway through the first period when Tiaowvanich Kantawit skillfully maneuvered past a defender and scored through the pads of Uzbekistan’s goalkeeper. However, Uzbekistan equalized in the final seconds of the period with a power-play goal by Rustamkhonov.

Uzbekistan then pulled ahead in the second period as Ilya Popov netted a goal off a clean face-off win by Abdukayam Abduvosikov. Thailand responded just before the second intermission, leveling the score 2-2 with a backhanded goal by Limpanyakul Tanat. The deadlock continued late into the third period until Rustamkhonov fired a powerful slap shot past Thailand’s goaltender on a power play, securing the decisive 3-2 victory.

Uzbekistan concluded the tournament with a perfect record, accumulating 15 points, followed by Thailand with 12. The competition saw Turkmenistan place third with nine points, while Bosnia and Herzegovina (5), South Africa (3), and Luxembourg (1) rounded out the standings.

This victory marks another milestone for Uzbekistan’s hockey program, which has seen rapid development since the formation of the Uzbekistan Hockey Federation (FHU) in 2018. The junior team consists of players from the capital clubs "Humo" and "Binokor," and their success reflects the federation’s growing efforts to strengthen the sport in the country.

The achievement in Thailand ensures that Uzbekistan’s junior team will compete in Division III A next season, facing tougher opposition as they continue their ascent in international ice hockey. Meanwhile, in April 2025, the senior Uzbekistan national team will make its debut in Division IV of the IIHF World Championship, with a core group of players from the victorious junior squad expected to play key roles.

Uzbekistan’s rapid rise in international ice hockey is a testament to its dedication and investment in the sport. With a strong foundation and promising young talents, the country is poised to make further strides on the global stage in the coming years.

Tweets by @eurohockey