Malaysia Edge Pakistan 4-3 in Penalty Shootout to Clinch Sultan of Johor Cup 2026

JOHOR BAHRU: Hosts Malaysia held their nerve to beat Pakistan 4-3 in a penalty shootout and win the Sultan of Johor Cup 2026 after the final ended 2-2 at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium on Saturday. The title-decider was a tense, fluctuating contest in which Pakistan led 2-0 early in the second quarter, Malaysia fought back through penalty-corner goals, and the result was finally settled in the shootout. The first quarter produced no goals as both teams began cautiously. Malaysia, playing at home, looked to impose themselves, while Pakistan defended compactly and waited for counter-attacking chances. The opening goal came in the 19th minute when Waleed Rana converted a penalty corner to put Pakistan 1-0 ahead. Two minutes later, Muhammad Usman doubled the lead with a superb field goal, beating the Malaysian defence to make it 2-0. Malaysia responded before halftime when Mohammad Adam Johari converted a penalty corner in the 25th minute. That goal reduced the deficit to 2-1 and kept the hosts in the contest. Pakistan maintained their one-goal advantage through the third quarter, defending well and limiting Malaysia's clear chances. The hosts kept pushing and finally equalised in the 49th minute when Dheeressh Gunaseelan converted a penalty corner to make it 2-2. Both teams created chances in the final quarter but could not find a winner in regulation time. The final therefore went to a penalty shootout. Malaysia took an early advantage when Adam Johari scored their first attempt, while Pakistan's Hamza Fayyaz missed the opening chance. Both sides converted their next two attempts, leaving Malaysia one goal ahead. Pakistan levelled at 3-3 through Waleed Rana in the fourth attempt, but after Aferullsyah scored for Malaysia, Muhammad Ammad failed to convert Pakistan's fifth attempt. Malaysia won the shootout 4-3 and clinched the title. Adam Johari was central to Malaysia's success, scoring in regulation time and in the shootout. Dheeressh Gunaseelan's equaliser was equally important, as it kept the hosts alive after they had trailed for much of the match. For Pakistan, Waleed Rana and Muhammad Usman were the key scorers, but the team could not protect its early lead or convert the decisive shootout chances. The final highlighted the importance of penalty corners and mental composure in knockout hockey. Malaysia scored both of their regulation-time goals from penalty corners, while Pakistan's first goal also came from a set piece. In the shootout, Malaysia's early lead and calm finishing proved decisive. The hosts had to handle the pressure of playing in front of home supporters, and their comeback from 2-0 down underlined their resilience. For Malaysia, the victory is a significant confidence boost and a memorable home title. For Pakistan, the defeat will be painful after taking a 2-0 lead, but the team showed enough quality to compete until the final moment. The match also served as a strong showcase for youth hockey, with both sides producing high-intensity play and the final going down to a shootout.