KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia won the Sultan of Johor Cup (SoJC) title on Saturday, thanks to goalkeeper Adib Amsyar Hanif.
He made two superb saves as Malaysia edged Pakistan 4-3 in a penalty shootout at Taman Daya Hockey Stadium.
Both teams were tied 2-2 after regulation time.
Malaysia, coached by Nor Saiful Zaini, won all their five matches in the Under-21 round robin tournament.
Adam Asyraf Johari, Gagandeep Singh, Rahuul Fazrien Nazrien and Ashrafeel Iman Rizal converted for Malaysia during the shootout.
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Pakistan replied through Ali Hamza and Rana Waleed (two goals, one from the penalty shootout and one penalty stroke).
Pakistan, who lost 3-2 to Malaysia in a bad-tempered round robin match on Wednesday, played with more calm and composure this time to take a 2-0 lead in the first 23 minutes of the match.
Rana Waleed gave the Green Shirts the lead off a penalty corner in the 19th minute and scored four minutes later through Muhammad Usman from close range.
But Malaysia fought back with goals from penalty corners through Adam Asyraf Johari in the 25th and Dheeressh Gunaseelan in the 49th.
Malaysian players failed to capitalise after Pakistan were down to 10 men after Ali Hamza was flashed a yellow card for an infringement in the 57th minute.
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Nor Saiful commended his team for fighting back from two goals dowm.
"They fought really hard to win the final. I am overall satisfied with my players for keeping a 100 per cent record in the tournament," he said.
Malaysia last won the SoJC when the tournament was first held in 2011.
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