Pakistan Juniors Beat Canada 6-2 for a Second Straight Sultan of Johor Cup Win, With Hosts Malaysia Next on October 21

JOHOR BAHRU: The Sultan of Johor Cup is quickly becoming a tournament to enjoy for Pakistan’s juniors. In their second match at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium, the young Green Shirts beat Canada 6-2 to make it two wins from two, following the 8-3 thumping of China in the opener. Fourteen goals in two games is not a bad way for a young side to announce itself.

Three up before Canada could settle

Hamza Fayyaz opened the scoring in the ninth minute, and Canada were still regrouping when Hamza Ali doubled the lead five minutes later. Rana Abdullah Sami made it 3-0 in the 25th minute, and the match was effectively slipping away from the Canadians. Bhullar Gurnoor pulled one back on the half-hour, but Rana Waleed restored the three-goal cushion in the 38th minute, and Pakistan never really looked troubled after that.

No let-up in the final quarter

Canada tried once more after the break. Abhiram Yogeshwaran scored in the 45th minute to make it 4-2, and for a moment there was a game on again. It did not last. Aasam Haider struck in the 51st minute and Adeel added the sixth three minutes later, closing out a win built by six different scorers — the clearest sign of a team not depending on one hot stick.

Hosts next, final places in sight

Pakistan Hockey Federation president Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani congratulated the team on the victory and wished them well for what comes next. That next test is a bigger one: hosts Malaysia on October 21. The Under-21 event features Pakistan, China, Canada, Malaysia and Japan, with the top two sides reaching the final on October 24.