Ukraine’s Hockey Team Battles Japan in a Crucial Match for Promotion

Ukraine vs. Japan at the World Championship

According to Главком: On May 8, 2026, at 5:00 PM Kyiv time, Ukraine’s national hockey team will face Japan in their final game of the World Championship Division IA. This matchup carries high stakes for both sides: Ukraine is fighting for a chance to move up to a higher division, while Japan is battling to avoid relegation. Even if Ukraine wins, promotion is not guaranteed-they also need Lithuania to defeat Poland in a concurrent game.

According to bookmaker GGBET, the odds for a Ukraine victory stand at 1.46, while a Japan win is priced at 5.45. A draw in regulation time has odds of 4.9. For total goals, over 5.5 goals is set at 2.11, and under 5.5 goals at 1.66.

Standings and Match Results

After four rounds, the tournament standings are as follows:

• Kazakhstan – 11 points (18:7)
• Poland – 7 points (11:10)
• Ukraine – 7 points (11:11)
• France – 7 points (11:9)
• Japan – 2 points (8:15)
• Lithuania – 2 points (5:11)

Ukraine’s results at the World Championship so far:

• May 2 – loss to Poland, 2:3
• May 3 – win over Lithuania, 2:1
• May 5 – win over France, 3:2
• May 7 – loss to Kazakhstan in a shootout, 4:5

Ukraine’s roster includes the following goaltenders:

• Bohdan Diachenko (Polonia Bytom, Poland)
• Oleh Petrov (Sokil, Ukraine)
• Oleksandr Levshyn (Prince George Cougars, Canada)

Defensemen:

• Ihor Merezhko (Plzeň, Czech Republic)
• Artem Hrebenyk (Caen, France)
• Denys Matusevych (Kremenchuk, Ukraine)
• Oleksii Dakhnovskyi (Košice, Slovakia)
• Yevhenii Ratushnyi (Sokil, Ukraine)
• Ivan Sysak (Feltre, Italy)
• Mykola Kosarev (Stavanger Oilers, Norway)

Forwards:

• Oleksandr Peresunko (Unia, Poland)
• Daniil Trakht (Lukko, Finland)
• Andrii Denyskin (Toruń, Poland)
• Oleksii Vorona (Toruń, Poland)
• Vitalii Lialka (Kremenchuk, Ukraine)
• Stanislav Sadovikov (Berani Zlín, Czech Republic)
• Ilarion Kupriianov (Dukla Jihlava, Czech Republic)
• Yevhen Fadieiev (Snackpoint Eaters Limburg, Netherlands)
• Felix Morozov (Morzine-Avoriaz, France)
• Viktor Zakharov (Sokil, Ukraine)
• Denys Borodai (Sokil, Ukraine)
• Mykyta Oliinyk (Sokil, Ukraine)
• Artem Buzoveria (Coventry Blaze, Great Britain)

Ukraine’s games will be broadcast on the Suspilne Sport platform and local Suspilne channels.

This final group-stage game at the World Championship is a make-or-break moment for Ukraine, who are vying for promotion, and for Japan, who are desperate to stay in the division. The outcome will shape the future of both teams on the international hockey stage.

As the stakes rise for Ukraine in their upcoming match against Japan, it's essential to remember their recent performance against Lithuania, which significantly shaped their current standing in the tournament. For a detailed overview of how that pivotal encounter influenced Ukraine's chances, check out our coverage of the match against Lithuania.