Following the start of the Hawke’s Bay Cup in New Zealand at the weekend, another major international event is now underway as the Malaysian city of Ipoh welcomes the 25th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
With the first game now complete, Pakistan defeating Canada 3-1, we look forward to what the competition has to offer:
The Silver Jubilee edition of this action-packed men’s invitational competition is set to be another high quality occasion, with all seven of the competing teams placed inside the top 20 of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) World Rankings.
Four of the teams – reigning world champions Australia (FIH World Ranking: 1), Asian champions India (WR: 7), 2015 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup winners New Zealand (WR: 8) and Canada’s Red Caribous (WR: 14) - have qualified for the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. The line-up is completed by Pakistan (WR: 10), Malaysia (WR: 13) and Japan (WR:16), teams all capable of producing strong performances.
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 ninth Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) of Malaysia, who sadly passed away in 2014. Although the man known as “the father of Malaysian Hockey” is no longer with us, both his name and legacy lives on in this ever entertaining competition.
With eight titles to their name, Australia’s Kookaburras are the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup’s most successful team, with fellow competitors India (5 titles), Pakistan (3) and New Zealand (2) having also lifted the Cup over the years.
Australia's Kookaburras will certainly enter the competition as favourites, with Head Coach Graham Reid selecting a near full strength team. Legendary forward Jamie Dwyer and ace defender Mark Knowles are both included, as are penalty corner expert Chris Ciriello and young striker Blake Govers, two players who missed the Hero Hockey World League Final 2015 through injury. Speaking about his selection, Reid said: “It’s a strong team, which reflects the importance we put on the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, particularly this year in our preparations for the Olympic Games.”
Australia’s biggest challenges for the title are likely to come from India and New Zealand. The Indian team has enjoyed considerable success in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, having won the event in 1985, 1991, 1995, 2009 and 2010, while New Zealand's Black Sticks can boast of having beaten the Kookaburras in 2015 competition final, adding to the title they claimed in 2012. Like the Australian's, both nations have named extremely competitive line-ups as they begin their preparations for a very big year ahead.
India Head Coach Roelant Oltmans has named a side which features a solid balance of youth and experience, describing the event as “a testing ground for all the youngsters in the squad to prove that they are ready for the big stage in Rio.” Iconic captain Sardar Singh will be hoping that a strong showing in Ipoh could lead to even greater success not just in Rio de Janiero but also at this summer’s Hockey Champions Trophy in London.
Following their thrilling 3-1 shoot-out victory over Australia in the 2015 final, New Zealand’s Black Sticks will be looking for back-to-back Sultan Azlan Shah Cup wins. Feared striker Simon Child will captain the team, with midfielder Shea McAleese returning to the international fold for the first time in nine months. “I’m really looking forward to getting back out on the turf with the Black Sticks”, said McAleese. “I’m confident we can put together a good performance at the tournament.”
Canada’s squad features 14 of the 16 players that won silver at the 2015 Pan American Games including inspirational captain and defender Scott Tupper, while a large number of Pakistan’s 2014 Champions Trophy silver medal winning squad will be on show in Ipoh, ensuring that they will be an opponent to be feared.
Despite having reached the final on six occasions, host nation Malaysia still await their first success in this competition and will be hoping that 2016 is their year. Japan are using the event to give some crucial tournament experience to some of their rising stars, with no fewer than nine uncapped players being given the opportunity to shine in Ipoh.
You can follow all of the action from the 25th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on the official website, facebook and twitter links below:
Website: http://azlanshahcup.my
Facebook: Click here.
Twitter: Click here
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