2019 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is a men’s hockey tournament held in the spring in Ipoh, Malaysia. Canada’s Men’s National Team has committed to attending in 2019. Canada came 6th in the 2016 edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and is excited to return to one of the world’s most prestigious hockey events! VIEWING INFORMATION | FIH SCORES AND RESULTS

SCHEDULE & RESULTS

Match	Result	Date	Time
Canada vs Korea	3-6 LOSS	March 23, 2019	6pm
Canada vs Poland	4-0 WIN	March 24, 2019	6pm
Canada vs Japan	2-1 WIN	March 26, 2019	4pm
Canada vs India	3-7 LOSS	March 27, 2019	6pm
Canada vs Malaysia	2-3 LOSS	March 29, 2019	830pm
Canada vs Malaysia (Bronze Medal)	2-4 LOSS	March 30, 2019	6pm

GAME RECAPS

Game One [Korea 6 – 3 Canada] – GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Canada opened up their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup campaign today with a 6-3 loss to Korea. Early goals against was the story in Ipoh today as Korea popped three goals before the 20-minute mark. From there on out, the game was a tie but it was too little too late for the Canadians. Adam Froese, Matt Sarmento and Fin Boothroyd scored in the losing effort.

After the game, John Smythe said, “the first game in the Malaysian heat is always tough. I’m proud at how the boys came back fighting in the fourth. We have some good building blocks to work on for the rest of the tournament.”

According to Boothroyd, who scored in his first international match, “It was an unreal feeling to score however it wasn’t the result we wanted. Hopefully tomorrow we come out with the win.”

NOTE: Gordon Johnston played in his 150th international match at the age of 26.

Game two [Canada 4 – 0 Poland]

Canada responded to their first round loss by carrying the possession and pressure for the entire match against Poland. Brenden Bissett opened the scoring in the second quarter. Devohn Noronha-Teixeira notched two goals for Canada en route to being named the man of the match. GK David Carter and the Canadian defensive line kept the Polish attack at bay when necessary. According to Noronha-Teixeira, the game starts in the defensive end.

“It always starts in the backline and midfield with creating opportunities, and in the second half, the forwards capitalized,” he said.

Canada has a rest day now, and will take on Japan on Tuesday.

Game three [Canada 2 – 1 Japan] – GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Canada notches back-to-back wins as they outlasted a tough Japanese side in Ipoh today. Balraj Panesar opened the scoring in the 10-minute mark and the lead was immediately erased as Ryosei Kato of Japan answered right back a minute later. The teams traded chances until James Kirkpatrick broke the deadlock in the 41st minute on a beautiful individual effort tight to the Japanese goal. The Canadians rode some stellar goalkeeping from Antoni Kindler in his first outing of the event. Kindler made several incredible stops down the home stretch as Japan pressured to tie the game. He was awarded the man of the match honours. Canadian Midfielder, Keegan Pereira—who wore the captain band today in the absence of Scott Tupper—said he was impressed by the team’s effort and commitment to keep battling.

“It was a really gritty win by the team today. I’m really happy with how the boys worked for the points against a Japanese team that put us under a lot of pressure all over the field. There’s room for improvement as we move forward in this tournament and we will continue to work on implementing our new style of play but we can be happy with the fight today.”

Canada takes on India tomorrow in a World Cup pool-play rematch.

Game four [Canada 3 – 7 India] – GAME HIGHLIGHTS

India jumped on Canada early, notching four goals in the first half including a natural hat-trick off the stick of Mandeep Singh. The pressure and possession, especially in the early going, belonged to India. Canada fought back in the second half scoring three goals, two off penalty corner sets. One bright spot in this game was the Canadian youth getting on the board. Both Jamie Wallace and Fin Boothroyd scored late in the game. Boothroyd’s goal was a nifty finish after Gordon Johnston walked the baseline and fed the ball out front. Wallace’s tally was a straight shot off a PC.

Going into this competition, coach Paul Bundy’s goal was to make sure the young players got some good quality competition. Obviously the team wants results out of every game but having the youth movement make waves against one of the best teams in the world, is a good sign moving forward. Canada has a rest day and will finish off pool play in prime time against host Malaysia on Thursday before entering the placement round on Saturday.

Game five [Canada 2 – 3 Malaysia] – GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Today’s game was a tale of two halves. The scoring parade began in the first quarter as Malaysia took the lead after Canadian GK David Carter made two phenomenal saves but couldn’t keep the third effort out. Gordon Johnston answered back in the 15th minute with a penalty corner rocket to close out the first quarter. After Malaysia took their second lead of the game, Johnston stepped back to the PC line in the 22nd minute and fired his second of the night into the back of the net. Malaysia scored once more before the half was over on a penalty stroke.

The second half was a defensive battle. Both teams trading chances but neither able to capitalize. Both teams had great chances in the dying seconds of the game but the score remained 3-2 in favour of Malaysia. The two teams will clash again in 16 hours to decide who takes home the bronze medal as India and Korea will battle for gold. Johnston, who potted the two Canadian goals today said there are bright spots in the Canadian’s game, they just need to be more consistent.

“I thought we started to put together some great periods of possession and attack, now we just have to get some rest and recovery to get ready for the rematch tomorrow,” he said. “We want to build on some of the things we did well and push for a result.”

Bronze Medal Match [Canada 2 – 4 Malaysia] – GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Canada faced off against hosts Malaysia for the second time in less than 24 hours. Canada had a faster start as Jamie Wallace penetrated the circle in the first quarter and fed the ball down low to Mark Pearson, who smashed a backhand past the Malaysian keeper. The lead was short-lived as Malaysia fought back in the second quarter with three unanswered goals. Down 4-1 late in the game, the youngster Jamie Wallace scored a beautiful goal off an individual effort, dribbling the ball through an array of Malaysian defenders and slipping it past the goalkeeper. It was too little too late for the Canadians as they settle for fourth place and a 2-4 record at the 2019 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. They will return to Malaysia in three weeks for the first leg of their Olympic qualification journey at the FIH Series Final where they will get another crack at a Malaysian side that bested them twice this week.

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