Six nations from around the world -- India, Australia, Canada, Korea, New Zealand and Malaysia -- would be fighting it out for the prestigious Sultan Azlan Shah Cup title, which is set to be held from 5-12 April in Malaysia.
The tournament first started in 1983, but became an annual event only after 1994. Australia has been the best team in the competition winning it eight times, while they are the defending champions as well after defeating Malaysia in the finals of the competition.
They have won the last four editions of the tournament, so they would be one of the favourites for the tournament this time around as well.
Though Australia might be a strong contender for the competition, other teams in the competition would also give it a good go in the tournament.
India's new chief coach Paul van Ass would like to start his Indian coaching career on a high and winning the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup could be a perfect beginning for the Dutchman.
India has also been hugely successful in the tournament, winning the title five times.
The hosts for the tournament, Malaysia might not have won the competition even once, but have finished runners- up five times. They are always going to be a strong team in the competition, considering they are playing at home, where they receive good support.
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Teams such as New Zealand and Korea cannot be ignored as well, for they have got a taste of the Azlan Shah Cup title, where the Oceania team won it in once in 2012, while the Asian side have won it in 1999 and 2010.
Out of all the teams in the competition, it is only Canada and Malaysia, which have not won this competition.
Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2015 Schedule
Sunday 5 April
1:40pm IST Australia v Canada (4:10 am ET, 7:10 pm GMT)
3:40pm IST Korea v India (6:10 am ET, 9:10 pm GMT)
5:40pm IST New Zealand v Malaysia (8:10 am ET, 11:10 pm GMT)
Monday 6 April
1:40pm IST Canada v Korea (4:10 am ET, 7:10 pm GMT)
3:40pm IST New Zealand v India (6:10 am ET, 9:10 pmGMT)
5:40pm IST Australia v Malaysia (8:10 am ET, 11:10 pm GMT)
After the completion of two matches by all the participating teams, there would be no action on Tuesday 7 April.
Wednesday 8 April
1:40pm IST Canada v New Zealand (4:10 am ET, 7:10 pm GMT)
3:40pm IST Korea v Australia (6:10 am ET, 9:10 pm GMT)
5:40pm IST India v Malaysia (8:10 am ET, 11:10 pm GMT)
Thursday 9 April
1:40pm IST India v Canada (4:10 am ET, 7:10 pm GMT)
3:40pm IST New Zealand v Australia (6:10 am ET, 9:10 pm GMT)
5:40pm IST Malaysia v Korea (8:10 am ET, 11:10 pm GMT)
The tournament would once again go for a one day break on Saturday, 10 April, after which the teams would have only one match to play.
Saturday 11 April
1:40pm IST Australia v India (4:10 am ET, 7:10 pm GMT)
3:40pm IST Korea v New Zealand (6:10 am ET, 9:10 pm GMT)
5:40pm IST Malaysia v Canada (8:10 am ET, 11:10 pm GMT)
Surprisingly, the officials have not kept any rest day for the final. Hence, the six teams would go against one another for not only the first and second place, but also for third, fourth, fifth and sixth position, as per their standings at the end of the group stages.
Sunday 12 April 16
1:10pm IST 5th & 6th Place (3:50 ET, 6:40 pm GMT)
3:40pm IST 3rd & 4th Place (6:10 am ET, 9:10 pm GMT)
6:15pm IST 1st & 2nd Place (8:10 am ET, 11:10 pm GMT)
Rankings of the Participating Teams
Australia – 1
New Zealand -7
Korea – 8
India -9
Malaysia – 12
Canada -15
