Six world class hockey teams will lock horns yet again as the schedule of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2018 has been announced. The tournament will be played in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia from 3-10 March. This prestigious tournament may be a testing ground for many teams, with an action packed hockey action scheduled in 2018.
The number of teams for this year’s cup are as same as last year’s tournament where six teams competed. Japan and New Zealand, who competed previously, will not join this edition and will be replaced by Argentina(World Rank 2) and Ireland(World Rank 10). The addition of top ranked team will promise to make the competition more competitive and thrilling. Argentina have played impressive hockey right from the RIO Olympics where they won gold, Ireland have shown promise and are expected to put up a valiant show.
Host Malaysia(World Rank 12) have put up a stellar show in their home tournament and will be eager to repeat the same performance in 2018. World champions Australia(World Rank 1) is the most successful team in the tournament. They have won it 9 times and will be eager to dominate the numbers in the 27th edition of the tournament.
The defending champions England(World Rank 7) will start as one of the favorites and a good show in the tournament might just improve their FIH rankings.
India(World Rank 6), the bronze medalist of last year and 2nd most successful team in the tournament will look to change the colour of the medal. The team has the youngest bunch of players in the tournament.
Schedule of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2018
Note: MST stands for Malaysian Standard time
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Classification
Fifth and sixth place
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Third and fourth place
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Final
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