Young Tigers End SOJC Campaign In Sixth Position After Losing To Japan

JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- The national youth hockey squad ended the competition in sixth place after losing 0-3 in a penalty shootout after tying 2-2 with Japan in the 2024 Sultan of Johor Cup (SOJC) International Hockey Championship at the Johor Hockey Stadium in Taman Daya, here today.

The six-nation tournament that has been going on since Oct 19, saw the Young Tigers fail to record any win in all matches.

In the match to decide fifth and sixth placing, both teams were seen as balanced when they carried out attacks at both ends, hoping to break the deadlock, but no goals could be scored in the first quarter.

The squad from the Land of the Rising Sun, also denied Malaysia the chance to score in the second half through three penalty corners obtained by the Young Tigers.

When the action entered the third quarter, Che Nur Aqilrullah Che Mohd Khairulzi Anwar, who was not marked, broke through the Japanese defence to open the score in the 33rd minute.

However, Japan equalised through Yuto Higuchi in the 48th minute, only to see Malaysia restore the lead two minutes later through Mohammad Harris Iskandar Osman.

The lead did not last long as Japan were awarded a penalty stroke and Jun Watanabe converted from the spot in the 58th minute to level the tie once again, a score that remained until the end of the match.

In the penalty shootout, Japan scored through Yamato Kawahara, Yuto and Jota Nakajima while Mohammad Harris Iskandar, Che Nur Aqilrullah and Muhammad Handzalah Abdul Hadi failed in their bid to score their respective penalty.

Head coach I. Vikneswaran when speaking to reporters after the match acknowledged the defeat and said the focus would now be on improving the quality and performance, especially when taking penalty corners and penalties.

The last time Malaysia lifted the SOJC was during the inaugural edition in 2011.

-- BERNAMA