SoJC 2026: Malaysia Beat Pakistan in Shootout to End 15-Year Drought

Malaysia’s national junior men’s hockey team, the Young Tigers, won the Sultan of Johor Cup tonight, ending a 15-year wait for the trophy. They beat Pakistan 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the final finished 2-2.

The win repeats Malaysia’s achievement in the inaugural 2011 edition, the last time they won the U-21 international tournament.

Pakistan took control early. Rana Waleed opened the scoring from a penalty corner in the 19th minute, and Muhammad Usman doubled the lead two minutes later.

Waleed had been sent off in the group-stage meeting between the sides. Pakistan were reduced to ten men in that match when he was shown a red card in the 51st minute.

The Young Tigers refused to give up. Adam Asyraf scored from a penalty corner in the 25th minute to bring the score back to 2-1 and give Malaysia a chance.

Dheeressh Gunaseelan then equalised with a penalty corner in the 49th minute to make it 2-2. Neither side found a winner in normal time, which sent the match to a shootout.

Malaysia showed composure in the shootout and won it 4-3. Aferull Syah scored the winning penalty. He had also scored in the Young Tigers’ opening 3-0 win over China, and scored a penalty corner in their 4-2 comeback win over Japan.

Malaysia’s path to the title included wins over China (3-0), Japan (4-2) and Pakistan (3-2) in the group stage. The 3-2 win over Pakistan on Wednesday sent them into the final.

The result means a lot for a young side. It was Malaysia’s first final since 2013, when they lost 0-3 to India. Coach Nor Saiful Zaini Nasiruddin said after the Pakistan win that it had been a long time since Malaysia reached a final at the tournament.

The 2026 title confirms a revival for Malaysian junior hockey and gives the country its second Sultan of Johor Cup after 2011.

Credit Photo : Jayden Seah/Podium on Tour