JAPAN are turning into a new force in Asian hockey after clinching their maiden Sultan Azlan Shah (SAS) Cup by overcoming heavyweights Pakistan in the final in Ipoh.
The Samurais made a dramatic finish with a 4-1 victory over former champions Pakistan in a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw in regulation time at the Azlan Shah Stadium on Saturday.
Japan have been competing in the SAS Cup since 1987. After failing to win in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022, they have finally lifted the trophy under coach Yoshihiro Anai in their sixth attempt.
Anai praised his men's fighting spirit in the win over the mighty Green Shirts, who had won the SAS Cup three times.
"It feels very good to win this tournament for the first time after a long wait. I'm very happy and proud of my players as they gave an outstanding performance, and it was a great experience against Pakistan," said Anai.
"They never gave up at any time and got back as fast as they went down by a goal. Pakistan have always been a good and very strong opponent for Japan.
"Pakistan are a big team with a big reputation in world hockey, and today we will cherish this victory over the former Sultan Azlan Shah Cup champions."
The win at the 30th SAS Cup bettered Japan's previous best performance of a fourth-place finish in the 2022 edition, where they went down 5-3 to Pakistan in the playoff for the bronze medal.
But things have changed this year. The world No. 16, who were the second-lowest ranked team in the SAS Cup, went on a giant-killing spree in Ipoh as they beat No. 11 South Korea (2-1), No. 10 New Zealand (4-1), No. 13 Malaysia (2-1), and No. 15 Pakistan in the final.
Anai's men came to Ipoh to kickstart their lofty dreams of qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics via the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Japan had won the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games gold to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and at the 2023 Hangzhou Asiad, they finished second.
From the look of it, they could well achieve it and become the next Asian superpower in hockey.
ROLL OF HONOUR — Champions: Japan; Second: Pakistan; Third: New Zealand;
Man of the Match: Waheed Ashraf Rana (Pakistan); Top Scorer: Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal (Malaysia) 8 goals; Best Goalkeeper: Takumi Kitagawa and Takashi Yoshikawa (Japan) joint honours; Player of the Tournament: Sufyan Khan (Pakistan); Fair Play: Canada