Johor SUKMA youth hockey team continued their development journey with two valuable friendly matches against elite opposition this week, including an international fixture against Great Britain at the Johor Hockey Stadium, Taman Daya, on Wednesday, October 8.
Despite falling short on the scoreboard, Johor’s head coach Mohd Nor Aqmal Abdul Gaffar expressed deep satisfaction with his team’s performance, emphasizing their courage and composure when facing a world-class opponent.
“The players showed no signs of fear or intimidation — instead, they played with confidence and gave their best against a top-tier team,” he said. “From a physical standpoint, the opposition had the advantage, but our players fought hard and displayed noticeable improvement compared to our previous match against the national team.”
The Johor squad, currently preparing for the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) Selangor 2026, had earlier suffered an 0–8 defeat in their first friendly against the Malaysian national team on Tuesday, October 7.
However, the young side bounced back with a more competitive showing against Great Britain, eventually going down 0–2 in a half-hour match played in short segments with two 10-minute breaks. Both teams also tested their skills in penalty shoot-outs and penalty strokes following the match.
Mohd Nor Aqmal described the back-to-back matches as crucial learning experiences, allowing his players to gain exposure at an international level and adapt to the intensity of elite competition.
“These friendly matches are invaluable. They provide our Under-21 players with the chance to face different playing styles and strategies — experiences that can’t be replicated in regular domestic fixtures,” he added.
“Ideally, we hope such tournaments can be organized every year. They are vital for the continuous development of Johor’s youth hockey structure.”
The friendlies also serve as warm-up opportunities ahead of the prestigious 2025 Sultan of Johor Cup (SOJC), set to take place from October 11 to 18 at the same venue. Now in its 13th edition, the tournament will feature six teams — Malaysia (host), Great Britain, Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Australia.
Johor’s youth squad will continue their preparation by facing New Zealand, Pakistan, and India in upcoming practice matches, further sharpening their skills and teamwork ahead of SUKMA 2026.
With the exposure gained from competing against top international sides, Johor’s Under-21 team aims to emerge as a formidable contender when the SUKMA Selangor 2026 tournament begins.
Credit Photo : MHC
