Friday’s Hockey, Sorted: Johor Cup Decider, First Melbourne Derby Weekend and a No. 1 v No. 2 in America
Friday is stacked. A final line-up gets decided in Malaysia, a new derby weekend starts in Australia, and the biggest college game of the American season happens while Pakistan sleeps. Here’s the day in order, all times PKT.
Overnight: No. 1 at No. 2 in America (5:00 am PKT)
The US college game of the season so far is a Thursday-nighter in Evanston. Maryland, 14-0 and ranked No. 1, go to No. 2 Northwestern, 14-1, at Lakeside Field (8:00 pm ET, Big Ten Network). Both are 5-0 in the Big Ten, Northwestern have won the last meetings between them, and the RPI actually ranks Northwestern top and Maryland second, the reverse of the coaches’ poll. Somebody’s perfect conference record ends. We’ll have the result in the morning.
Lunchtime: Hockey One Round 3 opens in Hobart (men 12:00 pm, women 1:45 pm PKT)
Tassie Tigers v Canberra Chill is the pick of the Australian round before it even starts. Both men’s sides are 2-0 with identical numbers, 13 scored and three conceded, and the league’s two top scorers, Ehren Hazell and Jake Staines, five goals each, go head-to-head. The round builds to Sunday’s first ever Melbourne derby, Cobras v HC Melbourne, but Hobart on Friday is where the ladder gets its first real sort-out.
Afternoon: the Johor Cup decides its final (2:05 pm and 4:35 pm PKT)
Last round-robin day at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Johor Bahru, and it’s beautifully simple. Malaysia are already in Saturday’s final. The other place is a straight fight in the first game: Japan v Pakistan at 2:05 pm PKT. A draw sends Pakistan through on goals-for. Japan have to win. Lose, and Japan drop into the bronze game instead.
Malaysia v Canada follows at 4:35 pm PKT. Canada are locked into the bronze-medal match whatever happens, Malaysia are playing for top seeding and momentum, and both will know by push-back whether it’s Japan or Pakistan waiting for Canada on Saturday.
Evening: Raipur’s second night, and Guangdong in Islamabad
The Chhattisgarh Hockey League’s second night in Raipur has Mainpat Titans v Bailadila Bulls (5:00 pm PKT) and Chakradhar Champions v Sanskardhani Strikers (7:00 pm PKT), after the Knights beat the Royals 2-0 on opening night. In Islamabad, China’s Guangdong play their third tour match, against Pakistan Navy at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium, after beating Pakistan Army in a shoot-out in midweek. Murugappa Gold Cup pool play also continues in Chennai through the day.
The Bundesliga weekend, and Doha’s big night
The German weekend is a double round: the Hamburg derby on Saturday, then leaders Hamburger Polo hosting Mannheimer on Sunday in a straight rematch of last season’s final. And in Doha, the FIH names its Hockey Stars Awards 2026 winners on Friday, the eve of the 50th FIH Congress.
Set the alarms. Friday earns them.
Follow the day in our Live Centre, with the Hockey One Round 3 preview and the CHL launch piece for the background.
