Each of the Asian teams arrived in Sofia with slightly different expectations and ambitions. Chinese Taipei had been relegated from Division 2B in 2024 and failed to bounce back the following year – making promotion their only goal this time around.
Turkey, a long-time mainstay in the division, once again aimed for a safe campaign clear of relegation danger. In contrast, survival was a very real concern for newcomers Thailand, who were bracing for a tough debut.
Chinese Taipei Eye Promotion Behind Domestic Core and Overseas Talent
Since their U20 World Championship debut in 2010, Chinese Taipei’s junior program has made steady progress. The team reached Division 2B in 2023 and managed to stay up for one more year before being relegated.
Head coach To Weng – a longtime national team veteran who also leads the senior and U18 squads – arrived in Sofia with one mission: to earn promotion back to Division 2B.
While the bulk of the roster came from domestic leagues, two players stood out: defenseman Yu-Chuan Chen, competing in the U.S.-based 18UAA, and forward Ching-Heng “Sam” Hsiao, skating in Canada’s JPHL U18.
Coach Weng also leaned on the experience of forwards Kai-Yuan Chi and Kuan-Che Wang, both of whom had already seen action with the senior national team.
Turkey Brings Youth, Experience, and Grit to Division 3A Campaign
Turkey’s U20 squad boasts a relatively long history, having made its World Championship debut back in 1998. Since the creation of Division 3, they’ve been a regular presence, with a brief promotion to Division 2B in 2018.
Arriving in Sofia with modest expectations, the Turks – led by 37-year-old head coach Yavuz Karakoc – weren’t planning to go down without a fight. Karakoc, who also serves as an assistant with the senior national team, placed his trust in 17-year-old forwards Emin Inandi and Hamza Yavuz, both developing their game at Canada’s HTI Stars Academy. Remarkably, both have already appeared at the senior international level.
Team captain Cagan Ege Odabas and fellow forward Mehmet Ayberk Karadag also brought senior national team experience, each with over 80 games played in Turkey’s top domestic league.
Among the team’s key players was forward Abdullah Yayilkan, the only squad member with European playing experience, having spent time in the lower divisions of French hockey.
Thailand Continues Its U20 Journey After Historic Debut on Home Ice
Thailand only made its U20 World Championship debut last year – yet stunned everyone by earning promotion on home ice in Bangkok, defeating all opponents, including favored Kyrgyzstan.
The squad is led by coach Tewin Chartsuwan, who still laces up the skates himself. At 43, he even suited up for Thailand at the recent SEA Games, where they claimed the silver medal.
This year’s roster features five players competing abroad. Goaltender Teeranon Ardharn and forwards Chanuwat Ardharn and Keen Tiaowvanich play in lower-tier youth leagues across North America.
On the European front, defensemen Thanthorn Juangroongruangkit (England U19) and Time Jewmaidang (Finland U20, lower division) add international seasoning.
Back in the lineup is fan favorite Tanat “Peem” Limpanyakul, who’s now following a familiar path – balancing hockey with music and film, just like his more well-known compatriot Kin “Thanachai” Sakchaicharoenkul.
In total, five players on the squad have seen senior national team action. The most experienced among them, defenseman Suwichak Suttigarn, wears the captain’s “C” with pride.
Day 1: Turkey Turns Up the Heat, Taipei Turns It Into a Blowout
On the opening day, Thailand’s Division 3A debut turned into a harsh reality check, as the newcomers were routed 10–1 by Turkey. Hamza Yavuz and Arhan Kuzey Girgin stole the show, each putting up four points.
In the following game, Chinese Taipei went even bigger, dismantling Bosnia & Herzegovina in a 15–0 goal fest. Hong Kai Lai netted a hat trick, while Kuan-Che Wang racked up five points in a dominant performance.
Day 2: Thailand Makes History, Turkey Shocks Belgium, Taipei Rolls Again
Thailand earned its first-ever win at the U20 World Championship with a nerve-racking 6–4 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina. The game swung back and forth until a key moment in the 42nd minute – just 58 seconds after tying it at 4–4, Thailand took the lead on a goal by Canadian-based forward Keen Tiaowvanich, who later sealed the win with an empty-netter.
Turkey pulled off an even bigger surprise by defeating tournament favorites Belgium 3–2 in a shootout. Despite trailing 0–2, the Turks stormed back and outshot their opponents 32–28 in what proved to be a fully deserved upset.
Chinese Taipei faced a feisty Bulgarian squad in a wild, high-scoring affair. After building a big early lead, they let things get a bit closer – but a five-point night from Kuan-Che Wang, including a hat trick and two assists, powered them to a 9–5 win.
Day 3: Taipei Stays Perfect, Bulgaria Cruises Past Turkey in Front of Home Crowd
From the opening puck drop, Chinese Taipei made it clear who was in charge against Thailand. This time, it was Cheng-Yuan Tsai leading the way with four assists in an 8–1 win.
In a spirited regional derby played in front of more than 500 fans, Bulgaria faced off against Turkey. Despite being outshot, the hosts dominated on the scoreboard, skating to a convincing 6–1 victory.
Day 4: Turkey Pushes Taipei to the Limit, Yu-Chuan Chen Becomes a Hero in Thriller
Any doubts about Turkey’s legitimacy were put to rest in a nail-biter against Chinese Taipei. Despite trailing 3–1, the Turks roared back behind a hat trick from rising star Emin Inandi to take a 4–3 lead. Taipei responded in the 56th minute with a shorthanded equalizer from Cheng-Yuan Tsai, but the final word belonged to defenseman Yu-Chuan Chen, who buried the game-winner with just 24 seconds left on the clock. The emotional win not only kept Taipei perfect – it also sealed their promotion with a game to spare.
Thailand, meanwhile, put in a spirited performance against tournament heavyweight Belgium. The underdogs even managed to grab an early lead, but the Europeans eventually took control and closed out a 7–3 victory.
Day 5: Turkey Pours It On, Taipei Finishes Perfect
Turkey entered the final day with a real shot at a medal – and made no mistake in their own game. Against Bosnia & Herzegovina, they unleashed a scoring barrage in a 16–1 blowout. Emin Inandi dazzled with 5 goals and 4 assists, while captain Cagan Ege Odabas added 4 goals and 3 helpers.
Despite the offensive fireworks, the bronze ultimately slipped through Turkey’s fingers. Belgium’s gutsy performance against gold medalists Chinese Taipei earned them a crucial point, enough to edge the Turks in the final standings.
Chinese Taipei, already assured of promotion, let a 4–2 lead slip late but wrapped up a perfect tournament thanks to a shootout winner from Shuo-En Tsui.
Thailand closed out their tournament campaign with a 6–0 loss to host nation Bulgaria, but despite the scoreline, the team could take pride in securing their spot in the division for another year.
Standouts and Scoring Leaders: Inandi Shines, Tsai and Odabas Impress
The tournament’s top individual honor belonged to Turkey’s Emin Inandi, who exploded for a remarkable nine points in his final game to finish with 16 (10 goals, 6 assists). Unsurprisingly, the directorate named him Best Forward of the tournament.
From gold medalists Chinese Taipei, Cheng-Yuan Tsai (3+9) and Kuan-Che Wang (5+6) led the way offensively, while Thailand’s most notable contribution came from Keen Tiaowvanich, who finished with four goals.
Looking Ahead: Taipei Moves Up, Turkey and Thailand Stay Put
Next year, Chinese Taipei will compete in Division 2B, where they’ll face off against Spain (relegated from Division 2A), along with Australia, Israel, Serbia, and New Zealand.
Turkey and Thailand will remain in Division 3A, joined by Iceland, Bulgaria, Belgium, and newly promoted Kyrgyzstan, who earned their spot by winning Division 3B.
| 2026 IIHF U20 World Championship Division 3A Sofia, Bulgaria – Standings |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Team | GP | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF-GA | P |
| 1 | Chinese Taipei | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 42-14 | 14 |
| 2 | Bulgaria | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 29-13 | 11 |
| 3 | Belgium | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 27-16 | 9 |
| 4 | Turkey | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 34-15 | 8 |
| 5 | Thailand | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 11-35 | 3 |
| 6 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 6-56 | 0 |
| 2026 IIHF U20 World Championship Division 3A Sofia, Bulgaria – Results |
||
|---|---|---|
| Game | Result | Date |
| Chinese Taipei vs Bosnia and Herzegovina | 15-0 | 01/19 |
| Chinese Taipei vs Bulgaria | 9-5 | 01/20 |
| Chinese Taipei vs Thailand | 8-1 | 01/22 |
| Chinese Taipei vs Turkey | 5-4 | 01/24 |
| Chinese Taipei vs Belgium | 5-4 SO | 01/25 |
| Turkey vs Thailand | 10-1 | 01/19 |
| Turkey vs Belgium | 3-2 SO | 01/20 |
| Turkey vs Bulgaria | 1-6 | 01/22 |
| Turkey vs Chinese Taipei | 4-5 | 01/24 |
| Turkey vs Bosnia and Herzegovina | 16-1 | 01/25 |
| Thailand vs Turkey | 1-10 | 01/19 |
| Thailand vs Bosnia and Herzegovina | 6-4 | 01/20 |
| Thailand vs Chinese Taipei | 1-8 | 01/22 |
| Thailand vs Belgium | 3-7 | 01/24 |
| Thailand vs Bulgaria | 0-6 | 01/25 |
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