The hosts made a strong start at the Palace of Sports, but were unable to prevent a Hungary fightback in the latter stages of the Group A contest.

Considered underdogs heading into the match against top seeds Hungary, Ukraine held their own in the first period with the score standing at 1-1.

Despite falling behind in the early minutes of the second period, a brace from Nikita Butsenko saw Ukraine move into a 3-2 lead.

Ukraine were unable to maintain their moment in the closing period of the match, with Andrew Sarauer, Keegan Dansereau and Janos Hari finding the target from Hungary as the top seeds triumphed 5-3.

“Unfortunately the other team was successful this time but we tried our best, the teams battled like soldiers,” said  Olexander Savitsky, Ukraine’s head coach.

“I told my players not to be afraid of strong competitors but we knew that the Hungarian team is a very strong team.

“We have to try to change something.”

South Korea were also victors on the first day of action, with efforts from Kim Ki-sung, Sin Sangwoo, Kim Sangwook and Lee Young Jun scoring against Poland.

The Polish team scored a late consolation, but would eventually lose 4-2.

Austria were beaten 3-2 by Kazakhstan in the final Group A match today, with Group B action is due to begin tomorrow.

The top two teams from Group A in the round robin contest taking place in the Ukrainian capital will progress to the 2018 edition of the top tournament in the sport, which will be hosted in Denmark.

The lowest ranked team from Group A will be relegated to B, while the last placed country from the latter will head to Division Two A.

Next year’s line up in Division One will be completed by the two sides who finish last in the groups in the main World Championships, which are due to take place in Germany and France from May 5 to 21.