Malaysia and Pakistan set to meet again in Sultan of Johor Cup final
Malaysia will face Pakistan in the Sultan of Johor Cup final after both teams finished the round-robin on seven points, with Pakistan advancing on goal difference.
The Sultan of Johor Cup final will feature Malaysia against Pakistan at Kuala Lumpur's Taman Daya Hockey Stadium. In the five-team round-robin, each side accumulated seven points, but Pakistan progressed to the final on goal-difference after drawing Japan 2-2. Malaysia, under coach Nor Saiful Zaini, boasted the tournament's best record, having defeated Canada 6-1, China 3-0, Japan 4-2 and Pakistan 3-2 earlier.
Against Canada, Malaysia recovered from an early goal by Chandi Navdip to score six times, with goals from Hafiezuddin Ali, T. Naaveennesh Panicker, Faiz Afzan Faizal, Rahuul Fazrien Nazrien, Dheeressh Gunaseelan and Safwan Salihe, converting three of ten penalty corners. The win gave Malaysia its fourth consecutive victory and a chance to claim the title for the third time since the competition began in 2011.
Why it matters
The match decides the champion of a key Asian under-21 field hockey tournament.
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