JOHOR BARU: The Sultan of Johor Cup (SoJC) is the only Under-21 international invitational in the world, but this year's edition has turned into an Under-20 affair.
The six teams in the competition have only registered Under-20 players in preparation for next year's Junior World Cup (JWC) in Bukit Jalil.
The national junior squad won the inaugural SoJC in 2011, and the closest they came since then was a silver in 2013. Britain are the most successful team with three wins (2015, 2018 and 2019), followed by India (2013, 2014) and Australia (2016, 2017).
SoJC was not held in 2020 and 2021 because of Covid-19.
Malaysia will have four players with seniors caps, while the rest will see their first action against foreign teams. The four are Amirul Haniff Mamat (12 caps), Alfarico Lance Liau (six), Syawal Razak (six) and Faris Harizan (six).
India, whom Malaysia will open their campaign against on Saturday at the Taman Daya Stadium here, are also in the same boat where experience counts.
Uttam Singh will captain India, and he is the most dangerous player in the squad. He led India to fourth at the 2021 JWC and also played for the senior team in the Asia Cup in Jakarta earlier this year.
Uttam has 12 caps, while the other capped players are Ankit Pal (six), Vishnukant Singh (23), Dhami Singh (three), Sudeep Chirmako (17), Sharda Nand (12) and Araijeet Singh (six).
Malaysia will likely face an uphill battle from the first whistle on Saturday. However, the target is next year's JWC, and the experience in the SoJC will help national junior coach Amin Rahim to mould a solid team ahead of the tournament.
TEAMS: Malaysia, Australia, Britain, Japan, South Africa, India.
FIXTURES
SATURDAY: Australia v Japan (4.05pm), Britain v South Africa (6.05pm), Malaysia v India (8.35pm).
SUNDAY: Japan v Britain (4.05pm), India v South Africa (6.05pm), Malaysia v Australia (8.35pm).
MONDAY: Rest Day.
TUESDAY: Britain v Australia (4.05pm), Japan v India (6.05pm), Malaysia v South Africa (8.35pm).
WEDNESDAY: India v Australia (4.05pm), Malaysia v Britain (6.05pm), South Africa v Japan (8.35pm).
THURSDAY: Rest Day.
FRIDAY: Britain v India (4.05pm), Malaysia v Japan (6.05pm), Australia v South Africa (8.35pm).