Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024: Why 5-time Champions India Absent As Pakistan Face Japan in Final?

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The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024 has taken an unexpected turn as five-time champions India find themselves notably absent from the final, sparking curiosity among hockey enthusiasts.

While fans anticipated an electrifying India vs Pakistan final, Hockey India's decision to prioritize the FIH Pro League 2023-24's European Leg played a pivotal role in India's absence from the tournament. Not to mention that recent India-Pakistan matches have been a lop-sided affair.

Lack of quality teams in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

This decision was influenced by the absence of higher-ranked nations in the Azlan Shah Cup, with the participating teams including New Zealand, hosts Malaysia, South Korea, Canada, Japan, and Pakistan. None of the aforementioned teams are ranked above India or have a presence in the top 10 of the FIH Rankings, except World No. 10 New Zealand.

In contrast, the European Leg of the FIH Pro League offers India the opportunity to compete against top-ranking teams such as Belgium (World No. 2), Germany (World No. 4) and Great Britain (World No. 5), crucial for their preparations for the Paris Olympics.

India were recently handed a reality check by World No. 3 Australia during a five-match Test series that saw hosts and reigning Olympic champion give the national side severe battering in all the matches. The outcome makes it crucial for World No. 8 India to better their preparations.

Also it is worth mentioning that this is not the first time India have skipped the event as they opted out of it in 2020 due to similar reasons before the tournament was called off due to the pandemic. They didn't compete in the 2022 edition either.

Pakistan's remarkable journey to the final has captured the spotlight. Despite their absence from the winner's circle for over two decades, the three-time champions have displayed resilience and skill, securing their spot in the final against Japan.

Pakistan's path to the final saw them face a challenging encounter against Canada, where they staged an impressive comeback to secure a thrilling 5-4 victory. Spearheaded by top scorers Sufyan Muhammad Khan and Abu Bakr Mahmood, Pakistan's performance underscored their determination and prowess on the field.

With both Pakistan and Japan boasting similar records in the tournament, the final promises to be a highly competitive affair. Pakistan's stellar performance positions them as strong contenders for the coveted title, while Japan's consistent run adds further intrigue to the clash.

As Pakistan prepares to face Japan in the final showdown, the stakes are higher than ever. This significant achievement marks Pakistan's first appearance in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Final since 2011, signaling their resurgence in international hockey.

While India's absence is palpable, their decision underscores the strategic considerations involved in tournament participation. As Pakistan and Japan gear up for an epic final clash, hockey enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the crowning of the tournament's new champion, amidst the backdrop of India's absence and the strategic dynamics of international hockey competitions.