The weeklong invitational tournament, which ran from May 4 to 11, at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh saw many an athletic showcase as six nations competed for the top prize. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, May 24, 2024
KUALA LUMPUR – The 30th edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, which took place from May 4 to 11 at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, saw a total of six teams from around the world vying for the prestigious title.
Japan made history by clinching its inaugural title when it defeated powerhouse Pakistan in the final.
The match, which ended 2-2 in normal time, was decided through a penalty shootout that saw the world number 16 Samurais defeating the Flying Green Horses 4-1 on penalties.
Japan, making its sixth appearance at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, fielded a team with an average age of 24 and scored a total of 12 goals, conceding just five at the invitational tournament.
The revamped Malaysian side, under the guidance of head coach Sarjit Singh, finished fourth after falling 3-2 to New Zealand in the classification match.
The Speedy Tigers scored 18 goals and conceded a total of 13.
South Korea finished fifth in the tournament, while Canada had a campaign to forget, finishing at the bottom of the pool with zero points after failing to record any wins.
Pakistan’s Sufyan Khan won the Player of the Tournament award, while Malaysia’s Muhammad Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal was the top scorer with eight goals. Japanese custodians Takumi Kitagawa and Takashi Yoshikawa were named the Best Goalkeepers of the tournament.
A total of 67 goals were scored in the 30th edition of the tournament, with an average of 5.58 goals per match.
Here are some clicks of the action from Scoop’s visual team.
Malaysian Faizal Saari (left) tries to pass between two Pakistani players during the match between Malaysia and Pakistan. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, May 24, 2024Muhammad Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal (centre) celebrates scoring a goal against Pakistan. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, May 24, 2024Pakistan’s Ghazanfar Ali (front left) takes a shot against South Korea’s goalkeeper Kim Jaeh yeon. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, May 24, 2024Muhammad Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal (centre) is pushed by Canadian goalkeeper Kiefer McNaughton during the match between Malaysia and Canada. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, May 24, 2024Azimuddin Syakir Kamaruddin (centre) celebrates scoring the Speedy Tigers’ third goal during the match between Malaysia against New Zealand. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, May 24, 2024Mohd Fitri Saari and Japanese goalkeeper Takashi Yoshikawa clash in the match between Malaysia and Japan. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, May 24, 2024Speedy Tigers head coach Sarjit Singh reacts on the sidelines of the match between Malaysia and New Zealand. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, May 24, 2024South Korea’s Seo In Woo (right) takes a shot against Canada’s Gavin Bains. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, May 24, 2024South Korean Kim Sung Hyun is pushed by Canadian goalkeeper Zach Coombs in the match between Canada and South Korea. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, May 24, 2024Faizal Saari makes a shot on New Zealand goalkeeper George Enersen in the match between Malaysia and New Zealand. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, May 24, 2024 The Speedy Tigers prepare to take on New Zealand. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, May 24, 2024Pakistan’s Abdul Rehman celebrates his goal in the final match between Japan and Pakistan. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, May 24, 2024Japan’s Kazumasa Matsumoto (centre) tries to get past two Pakistani players during the final between Japan and Pakistan. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, May 24, 2024Japan head coach Yoshihiro Anai reacts to his team’s victory at the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, May 24, 2024The Japanese team emerged as champions after defeating Pakistan in the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024 at the Azlan Shah Stadium on May 11. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, May 24, 2024
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