Australia lift Sultan Azlan Shah Cup for the 8th time

Australia, who is currently world number one, won the tournament in 1983, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2011 and 2013.

Unperturbed national coach Muhammad Dhaarma Raj Abdullah said he was confident that the junior players could go far, if they were given more exposure.

"Playing with top teams in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup like Australia, we know how they can deal with pressure," he told Bernama.

Malaysia fielded seven junior players in the tournament.

Australia drew their first blood with Chris Ciriello converting a penalty corner in the fifth minute before and Eddie Ockenden kept the momentum to increase the lead to 2-0 with a superb field goal in the 11th minute.

Six-minute later, Ciriello made another great conversion to put the Australians ahead 3-0.

Malaysia managed to force a penalty corner but Faizal Saari's initial try was stopped by Australia's goalkeeper Andrew Charter, but Shahril Saabah picked up the rebound and slammed it for Malaysia's first goal in 24th minute.

The game became more intense in the second half.

Rashid Baharom deflected a free hit by Hakimi Jamaluddin but umpire Javed Shaikh of India disallowed it, much to the chagrin of the Malaysian players.

But after consulting with second umpire John Wright, the goal was awarded to Malaysia to make the score 3-2.

Australia turned the tide against Malaysia and their goal-scoring machine dealt a heavy blow on the home team and silenced local fans who chanted to the beatings of the drums.

The visitors found the net again and again through Ciriello (42nd and 52nd), Nicholas Budgeon (46th) and Matt Gohdes (65th).

However, Fitri Saari pulled another goal for Malaysia in the 67th minute but it was the Aussies who had the final say, when Tristan White scored in an immediate counter attack.

The Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah presented the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to the Australians led by Mark Knowles.