Two victories were won by the hockey players of the junior team of Turkmenistan at the first Asian and Oceania Championship held in Ulaanbaatar among players under 18 years old.
Held under the auspices of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), the tournament brought together six teams. Juniors from Iran, Mongolia, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan compete for the trophy in a one-round competition.
After the defeat in the first round from peers of Uzbekistan - 0:5 (0:2, 0:1, 0:2), the wards of Guvanchmyrat Jepbarov won against the teams of Thailand - 4:3 and the United Arab Emirates - 7:2.
The victory over the Thais was not easy for our compatriots. The first period ended in a draw - 1:1. In the second 20-minute period, the Turkmen team broke the opponent's resistance and left for the second break with the score 4:3 in their favor. Serdar Durdyyev and Rovshen Ashyrov each scored two goals in our team, assisted by Elman Isayev, Matvey Arhipov and Allan Muhyyev.
In the final period, the Turkmen hockey players did not allow the opponent to level the score, keeping the victory. It is no coincidence that goalkeeper Tanryberdi Guvanjov from HC «Oguzhan», who made 29 saves, was recognized as the best player of the match in the national team of Turkmenistan.
The victory over Thailand gave additional strength to our juniors, who in the next match confidently prevailed over their peers from the UAE - 7:2 (2:0, 1:1, 4:1). The best player of the match in the team of Turkmenistan was recognized Matvey Arhipov from HC «Shir», who scored 2 goals and 2 assists. Another double was scored by Rovshen Ashyrov. Scored one goal each: Elman Isayev, Alihan Aliskerov and Nazar Zheltakov.
The results of the remaining meetings: UAE - Thailand - 6:2, Mongolia - Iran - 5:0, Iran - Uzbekistan - 1:14, Mongolia - UAE - 10:2, Thailand - Iran - 8:0, Mongolia - Uzbekistan - 4:7.
Thus, after three rounds, the juniors of Uzbekistan are leading with 9 points. The following places are occupied by the teams of Mongolia, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates, which have 6 points each. The Thai team has 3 points. Hockey players of Iran close the standings, in whose assets there are no points yet.
Remind that the national team of Turkmenistan at the first junior championship of Asia and Oceania (U18) is represented by 20 young hockey players from the clubs «Galkan» of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, «Shir» of the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations and «Oguzhan» of the State Concern «Turkmengas». This is the first international tournament in their life, which will become a good school in gaining experience and growing sports skills.
