Malaysia Beat Pakistan on Penalties to Win Sultan of Johor Cup Final
Malaysia have won the Sultan of Johor Cup after beating Pakistan in the final at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru. The Sultan of Johor Cup final finished 2-2, and hosts Malaysia won the shootout 4-3 to lift the title on Saturday.
Goalkeeper Adib Amsyar Hanif was the hero for the hosts, according to the New Straits Times, as Malaysia closed out a tense final in front of their home crowd. The win gave Malaysia the under-21 title after a tournament in which they had already shown they could beat Pakistan.
Sultan of Johor Cup final: how it unfolded
The final stayed tight from start to finish. Neither side could settle the match inside normal time, with the score locked at 2-2 when the whistle blew. The shootout then decided the title, and Malaysia held their nerve to win it 4-3.
For Pakistan, the defeat was a painful end to a strong run. The young side had reached the final after a tense 2-2 draw against Japan in their last pool match, qualifying on a better goal record. Pakistan and Japan both finished with seven points from four matches and a goal difference of plus eight, but Pakistan scored 18 goals in the tournament against Japan’s 16, and that edge took them through.
Malaysia’s path to the title also ran through Pakistan earlier in the event. The hosts beat Pakistan 3-2 on Wednesday to seal their own place in the final, a comeback win built on two goals from Naaveenesh Panicker. That result had already marked Malaysia as the team to beat, and the final confirmed it.
What the result means for Pakistan hockey
Pakistan’s junior side can take real positives from the tournament despite the final defeat. They reached the decider, scored freely through the pool stage, and pushed the hosts to a shootout in the final. At under-21 level, that kind of run matters: it gives young players experience of knockout pressure and a final in front of a large, loud crowd.
The gap to close is also clear. Malaysia won both meetings with Pakistan in the tournament, first 3-2 in the pool stage and then on penalties in the final. Turning those close losses into wins is the next step for this group, and the shootout defeat will sting because the title was within reach.
Japan finished third after beating Canada 5-0 in the third-place match, rounding off a tournament that kept the top places close until the last day.
Pakistan hockey has had a busy period at home and abroad. Pakistan qualified for the Johor Cup final after their draw with Japan, while at home Curtis Malik and Karim El Hammamy reached the ABC Cup final in Karachi. In cricket, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has backed Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman for the tri-series decider, and Salman Ali Agha has returned to the Test squad for the home series against Sri Lanka.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Sultan of Johor Cup final?
Malaysia beat Pakistan 4-3 in a shootout after the final finished 2-2 at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru.
Who was Malaysia’s hero in the final?
Goalkeeper Adib Amsyar Hanif was named as the hero of Malaysia’s title win by the New Straits Times.
How did Pakistan reach the final?
Pakistan drew 2-2 with Japan in their last pool match and qualified ahead of Japan on goals scored, with 18 goals against Japan’s 16, after both sides finished on seven points with a goal difference of plus eight.
Who finished third?
Japan finished third after beating Canada 5-0 in the third-place match.
Source: New Straits Times.
