The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup has been an annual feature in the FIH calendar since 1998, although it initially started life in 1983 as a biennial event. The event is named after legendary hockey fan and former FIH Executive Board Member HRH Sultan Azlan Shah.
The tournament is making a return after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 2022 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2022 will be held in Ipoh from 1 - 10 Nov 2022.
The Six Teams are Malaysia, Japan, Canada, Korea, Pakistan & South Africa.
Based on current world rankings - Malaysia will be the highest ranked team with 10 and followed by Korea (12), South Africa (14), Canada (15), Japan (17) and Pakistan (18). Malaysia best position runners up 3 times - 2007, 2013 & 2014.
The Format - 6 teams will play 5 matches each and then classifications after 15 matches where 5/6, 3/4 & 1/2 will play. Interesting this time the sole final match will be played on the last day 10th Nov whereas 3/4 & 5/6 will be played a day before 9th Nov 2022.
The Fixtures Based on Malaysian Time:
1 Nov 2022 16:00JPN v CAN (RR)
1 Nov 2022 18:00PAK v RSA (RR)
1 Nov 2022 20:00MAS v KOR (RR)
2 Nov 2022 16:00RSA v CAN (RR)
2 Nov 2022 18:00JPN v KOR (RR)
2 Nov 2022 20:00PAK v MAS (RR)
3rd Nov - Rest Day
4 Nov 2022 16:00JPN v PAK (RR)
4 Nov 2022 18:00CAN v KOR (RR)
4 Nov 2022 20:00RSA v MAS (RR)
5 Nov 2022 16:00KOR v PAK (RR)
5 Nov 2022 18:00RSA v JPN (RR)
5 Nov 2022 20:00MAS v CAN (RR)
6th Nov - Rest Day
7 Nov 2022 16:00KOR v RSA (RR)
7 Nov 2022 18:00CAN v PAK (RR)
7 Nov 2022 20:00MAS v JPN (RR)
8th Nov - Rest Day
9 Nov 2022 18:00 5th v 6th
9 Nov 2022 20:15 3rd v 4th
10 Nov 2022 20:00 1st v 2nd (Finals)
Malaysia has never win this Cup and this year as highest ranked team that could end the run and without top teams from Europe and Oceania as clashes with FIH Pro League favours Malaysia to do well this time. This is the best opportunity to win this maiden title.
Last time Azlan Shah tournament held in 2019 which was won by South Korea beating India in the final, which was there 3rd title. Best player of the tournament was Surender Kumar.
Most Azlan Shah tournament is won by Australia (10 times) then comes India with 5 titles. And Pakistan, South Korea with 3 titles each.
So mark down your calendar guys it will be an exciting event.
Wishing the very best to our Malaysian Men's Hockey Team for the event and target should be playing in the finals and winning it will be a great booster for the FIH Nation Cup & 2023 Men's Hockey World Cup. This events also carries ranking points in play.
All the best..
Maninderjit Singh (Mike)
Former International..
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