Forget “invitational” and “friendly tournament.” The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is anything but soft. Games are fiercely competitive, rivalries intense, and fan support in Ipoh is legendary.
First played in 1983, this tournament has always been a crucial proving ground. Teams use it to blood young talent and prepare for major events like the Olympics or World Cup qualifiers.
Over the years, the tournament’s reputation has grown. Every March and April, hockey fans wait to find out which teams are competing that year. Participation has become a sign of ambition.
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This year, for example, Pakistan didn’t receive an invitation due to unpaid dues from last year’s event. That single decision sparked plenty of social media buzz.
Title Tally: Australia Leads, But No Hat-Trick Yet
Australia holds the record with 10 tournament wins, including the inaugural edition in 1983. Despite that dominance, they’ve never managed a three-peat. On three separate occasions, they lost in the finals with a chance to complete a hat-trick.
India follows with 5 wins in 23 appearances. Their rivals Pakistan have won 3 times. Host nation Malaysia had to wait years before clinching their first title, which finally came in 2022 after several close calls.
Who’s In – and Who’s Out
So far, the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup has been played 31 times. Malaysia has featured in every edition. Among visiting nations, India leads with 23 appearances, followed closely by Pakistan and South Korea with 22 each.
India has skipped the event whenever Pakistan was invited since 2016, reflecting the political freeze between the two neighbors.
Australia, the most successful team, hasn’t participated since their 2018 title. Only six nations have played more than 10 times: Malaysia, India, Pakistan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
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And here’s a bit of trivia: the Soviet Union participated only once, in 1991, and finished third. A rare blip in hockey history.
2025 Participants: Old Names, New Stakes
This year’s tournament features: Malaysia (hosts), India, Belgium, Canada, Germany, and Ireland.
For Belgium, this is only their second appearance. Their last showing was in 2008, where they finished last. That was just before their rise to global prominence. Expect a much stronger side this time.
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Ipoh Delivers What Others Can’t
Odisha may have captured the imagination of modern fans, and the Netherlands has its own brand of hockey purity. But when it comes to atmosphere, Ipoh is unmatched.
The stadium stays packed. Fans roar, drums beat, and chants of “Malaysia!” ring louder than in many football stadiums. It’s a rare kind of hockey passion, loud, loyal, and proud.
The 2025 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, with teams like India, Germany, and Belgium, promises another memorable edition. We’ll be covering every match and every story.
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