Sultan of Johor Cup 2024: A Champions Review

Great Britain’s U21 Men’s squad lifted the Sultan of Johor Cup after a brilliant comeback victory over Australia.

GB’s under-21’s squad's road to victory was not a simple journey.

After an impressive 3-1 victory over Australia on the first day, came a hard-fought 6-4 loss to India followed by a 1-1 draw to New Zealand.

Two victories in the final group games against Malaysia and Japan, as well as an important 3-3 draw between India and New Zealand, led GB to soar up the table and secure a place in the Sultan of Johor cup final.  

Australia came into the final in fine form, by winning their last three matches and having scored 18 goals in the process.

Australia’s attacking form continued against GB by scoring two quick goals before the fifteen-minute mark.

Kaden Draysey quickly responded, as the 17-year-old scored his sixth goal of the tournament in the 14^th minute. Alex Chihota levelled the scoring in the third quarter before Rory Penrose struck the tournament winning goal in the closing stages of the match.

Rory Penrose was named Player of the Final, while his fellow Loughborough teammate, Alex Chihota was named Player of the Tournament. After scoring six goals across the tournament, Draysey finished second in the top goal scorer table.

This was GB’s fourth time of lifting the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia, during the tournament’s 13-year history (a record number of times).