{
  "id": 16193078,
  "title": "Green Shirts have another crack at Malaysia",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/green-shirts-have-another-crack-at-malaysia",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-23T14:22:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/hockey/2026/10/1562227/green-shirts-have-another-crack-malaysia"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia and Pakistan are set to face off once again in the final of the Sultan of Johor Cup (SoJC) at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium, according to the report from Kuala Lumpur. Pakistan will be seeking revenge after being defeated 3-2 by Malaysia in a heated encounter earlier in the Under-21 round-robin tournament. Malaysia earned a spot in the final by holding Japan to a 2-2 draw, tying them with Pakistan at seven points each. However, Pakistan qualified on the basis of goal difference. The Green Shirts, coached by Nor Saiful Zaini, have the best record in the tournament. They secured their fourth consecutive win in the SoJC with a 6-1 victory over Canada, followed by a 3-0 win against China and a 4-2 win over Japan. Against Canada, Malaysia fell behind in the fifth minute through Chandi Navdip but went on to score six goals, including goals from Hafiezuddin Ali, T. Naaveennesh Panicker, Faiz Afzan Faizal, Rahuul Fazrien Nazrien, Dheeressh Gunaseelan, and Safwan Salihe. The team's coach, Nor Saiful, expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, stating that Pakistan possesses skilled players and they must mark them effectively. Malaysia has qualified for the final three times since the SoJC began in 2011, winning the title in 2011 and finishing as runners-up to India in 2013.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: So, Malaysia will clash with Pakistan again — this time in the final of the Sultan of Johor Cup (SoJC) at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium on Saturday.",
  "key_points": [
    "Malaysia and Pakistan to face in SoJC final at Taman Daya Hockey Stadium",
    "Pakistan seeks revenge after 3-2 defeat by Malaysia earlier",
    "Green Shirts have best record with four consecutive wins in tournament"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Pakistan’s superior goal difference sets the stage for a high-stakes rematch that offers the Green Shirts a chance to avenge their earlier tournament loss to the host nation.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}