17 Days to Ipoh: Azlan Shah Cup Opening Day Pits Australia Against Debutants USA

Seventeen days. That’s all that’s left before Ipoh takes centre stage again.

The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup runs from 20 to 28 November at the Azlan Shah Stadium, and opening day already looks like a proper tournament in miniature. Australia open against the United States, Pakistan face Canada, and hosts Malaysia close the night against Korea. Three games, three different stories, one long day of hockey.

Australia against the USA is the headline, and for good reason. The Americans are playing in this tournament for the very first time, and their first ever Azlan Shah game is against the world No. 3. That’s a brutal welcome. Australia, meanwhile, are back after missing the 2025 edition, and they’ve named a squad that mixes World Cup experience with fresh blood. Matthew Hawthorne and Duncan Jackson are in line for their Kookaburras debuts in Ipoh, part of a five-strong group from Hockey Australia’s Talent Accelerator 2032 programme.

Pakistan’s opener matters just as much. The Green Shirts are back in Ipoh after missing out in 2025, and Canada first up is no soft landing. Canada are ranked 19th, Pakistan 12th, and both sides will know that an opening win changes the whole shape of a six-team round robin. With only the top two reaching the final on 28 November, there’s no room to ease in.

Then the night game. Malaysia against Korea under lights at home, in front of a crowd that will expect a fast start from the Speedy Tigers. Malaysia finished third in the ACT league stage last week, Korea fourth, with the Mohali knockouts still to play, so both arrive in form and both arrive battle-hardened. The hosts won this tournament in 2022 and they won’t want to wait long to remind everyone.

Opening day times, local time in Ipoh: Australia v USA at 3:00pm, Pakistan v Canada at 5:15pm, Malaysia v Korea at 7:30pm. In Pakistan time that’s 12:00pm, 2:15pm and 4:30pm. Mark the Pakistan game first. It’s the one that sets the tone for the whole week.

For our money, Australia start as favourites to reach the final, but this field is too even to call the second spot. Malaysia at home, a Pakistan side with a point to prove, and a Korea team that never goes away quietly. That’s four teams chasing one place, and it starts in 17 days.