Sultan of Johor Cup final: Malaysia rout Canada 6-1 to set up Saturday title decider with Pakistan

Malaysia's under-21 hockey side completed a perfect round robin at the Sultan of Johor Cup on Friday, beating Canada 6-1 at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru. The result, which came after the Young Tigers had already booked their final place, means they go into Saturday night's title match against Pakistan with four wins from four, 16 goals scored and only five conceded.

Six different scorers after an early scare

Canada actually struck first, with Navdip Chandi scoring a field goal in the fifth minute. The lead lasted barely two minutes. Muhammad Hafiezuddin Mohd Ali levelled from open play, and Naaveennash Paniker, whose double had beaten Pakistan earlier in the week, put Malaysia ahead before the end of the first quarter.

Muhammad Faiz Afzan Mohd Faizal converted a penalty corner in the 22nd minute and Rahuul Fazrien Muhammad Nazrien made it 4-1 before half-time. Dheeressh Gunaseelan added a fifth in the 41st minute, and Muhammad Safwan Salihe rounded off the scoring at the end of the third quarter. Six different names on the scoresheet will please the coaching staff ahead of the final, because it shows the goals are not coming from one source.

How Pakistan edged Japan to the other final spot

The race for second place went to the last game. Pakistan and Japan drew 2-2 earlier on Friday, with Hamza Fayyaz (34th minute) and Ghulam Mustafa (43rd) twice pulling Pakistan level. That left both teams on seven points and a goal difference of +8. Pakistan went through on goals scored, 18 to Japan's 16, thanks largely to big wins over China (8-3) and Canada (6-2).

Malaysia, by contrast, beat China 3-0, Japan 4-2, Pakistan 3-2 and Canada 6-1. The FIH standings show the hosts on 12 points, five clear of the two teams behind them.

A rematch with history attached

Saturday's final is a second meeting this week between the two sides. Malaysia won the round-robin game 3-2, with Naaveennash scoring twice and Safwan getting the other goal, all in front of a home crowd. That win carried extra meaning because Malaysia had lost both of their meetings with Pakistan at this year's Junior Asia Cup in China.

The history of the tournament adds more spice. Malaysia have won the Sultan of Johor Cup once, in 2011, when they beat Australia 3-2 after extra time. Their only other final came in 2013, a 3-0 loss to India. Pakistan have never lifted the trophy; their best finish was runner-up in 2016. One of these two teams will therefore end a long wait on Saturday.

Final day schedule in Malaysia time

Both matches on Saturday 24 October are at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru:

• 5.05pm: Japan v Canada (FIH schedule)
• 8pm: Malaysia v Pakistan, the final (Bernama lists the start as 8pm; the FIH schedule shows 8.05pm)

China, who lost all four of their games, finish fifth.

Key takeaways

• Malaysia beat Canada 6-1 to finish the round robin with four wins from four and a +11 goal difference.
• Six different players scored, with Naaveennash Paniker again among them.
• Pakistan drew 2-2 with Japan and reached the final on goals scored (18 to 16) after both sides finished on seven points.
• The final against Pakistan starts at about 8pm on Saturday, Malaysia time, at Taman Daya.
• Malaysia's only Sultan of Johor Cup title came in 2011; Pakistan have never won it.

FAQ

When is the Sultan of Johor Cup 2026 final? The final between Malaysia and Pakistan is on Saturday 24 October at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru, starting at around 8pm Malaysia time.

Why did Pakistan reach the final ahead of Japan? Both teams ended on seven points with a goal difference of +8, so the tie was split on goals scored. Pakistan scored 18 goals in the round robin and Japan scored 16.

Have Malaysia won the Sultan of Johor Cup before? Yes, once. Malaysia won the 2011 edition by beating Australia 3-2 after extra time. They also reached the 2013 final but lost 3-0 to India.

Sources: Bernama, FIH, Dawn, The Sun Malaysia, Malaysian Hockey Confederation