Great Britain qualified for Saturday’s final of the 12th Sultan of Johor Cup 2024 following a 3-1 victory over Japan at the Johor Hockey Stadium in Taman Daya yesterday.
This will be Great Britain’s sixth final in 10 editions of the SOJC under the supervision of coach Jon Bleby, who made his Olympic debut for Great Britain in 2008 Beijing. He has been coaching Great Britain’s Under-21 teams since 2013.
“Many of GB senior players have graduated from the SOJC over the years. Today is another batch of players who are experiencing the marvel of this event. We are delighted to be in the final. It was a tough match. Japan put up a really good fight. The results of the New Zealand-India match really helped us. The players knew what was needed to be done,” said Bleby.
“It is a big carrot getting in the final. The players played really well. It was a tough match and we put in a lot of good old fashion hard work. We are really happy to be there in the final. We will not be satisfied with a silver medal. We want to take home our fourth title,” he added.
Great Britain has won the title in 2015, 2018 and 2019 since the SOJC was inaugurated in 2011, and finished third in 2022 and fifth last year.
The Britons and Indians were level at 10 points each in the table standings after the conclusion of today’s round-robin matches. Great Britain has a difference of three goals and India two, giving the Britons a one-goal advantage.
Kaden Draysey scored a brace from a penalty stroke (3rd) and converted a penalty corner (38th) while Lewis Wilcher added one in the 27th minute. Yuma Fujiwara replied for Japan in the 13th minute via a field goal.
In an earlier match, New Zealand and India were held to a 3-3 draw. The Kiwis and Indians will once again go into a showdown in the playoff for the bronze medal. The Malaysians and Japan are drawn top play in the playoff for fifth-sixth place.
