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

JOHOR BAHRU: Hosts Malaysia held their nerve to beat a spirited Pakistan 4-3 in the penalty shootout and win the Sultan of Johor Cup 2026 title after an enthralling final ended 2-2 at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium on Saturday. The title was decided from the shootout after the scheduled time produced a tense 2-2 draw. For Malaysia, the win was especially significant because they had to come back from a two-goal deficit and then keep their composure under the pressure of the shootout. Pakistan played aggressive hockey in the first half, built a two-goal lead, but the hosts refused to give up and fought until the end to take the match into the shootout. The final began in a cautious manner. Neither team could score in the first quarter as both sides tried to read each other. Malaysia initially focused on keeping possession and finding gaps in the Pakistan defence, while Pakistan looked to use quick counter-attacks and penalty corners to build pressure. The first quarter ended goalless, making it clear that the final would remain a close contest. The hosts maintained their structure in the opening 15 minutes, but the Pakistan midfield gradually began to find its rhythm. Pakistan took the initiative in the second quarter. In the 19th minute, Waleed Rana converted a penalty corner to give his team a 1-0 lead. Two minutes later, Muhammad Usman scored a superb field goal to put Pakistan 2-0 ahead. At that stage, Pakistan looked confident and the pressure was growing on the hosts. Pakistan continued to attack even after taking a two-goal lead and troubled the Malaysia defence. But the hosts responded immediately instead of giving up. In the 25th minute, Mohammad Adam Johari converted a penalty corner to reduce the gap to one goal. Pakistan led 2-1 at halftime, but Malaysia had shown that the match was far from over. Both teams increased their scoring attempts in the third quarter. Pakistan focused on holding possession in the middle and breaking up Malaysia's attacks to protect their one-goal lead. Malaysia also raised their tempo, applied constant pressure and tried to earn penalty corners. However, no goal came in the third quarter and Pakistan stayed one goal ahead. The contest became more physical during this period, with both teams giving each other little space and fighting for every ball. Malaysia created a few chances, but the Pakistan goalkeeper and defence denied them a way back into the lead. In the final quarter, the hosts gave everything. In the 49th minute, Dheeressh Gunaseelan converted a penalty corner to make the score 2-2. The goal lifted the home crowd and changed the momentum of the match. Pakistan did not give up after the equaliser and launched repeated attacks in search of the winning goal. Malaysia also created several chances to take the lead, but the defences and goalkeepers of both teams made important saves in the closing stages. The scheduled time ended at 2-2, and the title was decided by a penalty shootout. In the final minutes, both teams played risky passes, but neither could score the decisive goal. Malaysia took an early advantage in the shootout. Mohammad Adam Johari scored their first attempt, while Hamza Fayyaz missed Pakistan's opening chance. That gave Malaysia a psychological edge. Both teams then converted their next two attempts, keeping Malaysia one goal ahead. Pakistan drew level at 3-3 through Rana Waleed in their fourth attempt and made the contest exciting again. But Muhammad Ammad missed the fifth attempt, while Aferullsyah scored for Malaysia. Malaysia thus won the shootout 4-3 and claimed the title. The win meant that the hosts faced pressure twice in the final but came back both times. After falling 2-0 behind, they scored before halftime to recover, and then equalised in the final quarter to take the match into the shootout. The defeat was certainly bitter for Pakistan, as they had built a two-goal lead in the first half and remained in the title race until the end. Pakistan showed their attacking ability through both penalty corners and field goals, but they failed to preserve their lead in the final quarter. Malaysia's victory was decided by their calm strategy and mental strength in the shootout. They made the most of their penalty corners and took their chances with confidence. Scoring the first attempt in the shootout and then putting pressure on the opponent proved to be a big advantage for the hosts. Pakistan, on the other hand, tried to fight back in the shootout and levelled the score by the fourth attempt, but the miss in the final attempt dashed their hopes. Malaysia used their fitness and speed well throughout the match, especially in the final quarter, when their pace troubled Pakistan. The final also showed how important experience and a calm mind are in title matches. The hosts were under pressure to win the title in front of their own crowd, but they did not lose composure after the early setbacks. Pakistan also proved that they are a strong opponent and kept the final alive until the last moment. In the end, Malaysia's 4-3 score in the penalty shootout and the 2-2 score in scheduled time reflected the thrilling finish to the Sultan of Johor Cup 2026. For the hosts, the title became a celebration in front of their home fans, while Pakistan were left to rue losing the crown in the closing moments.