Johor ends Malaysia Games football gold medal drought
Johor defeated Selangor 4-2 in a penalty shootout to win the Malaysia Games men’s football gold medal for the first time in decades, ending a long drought.
Source: Utusan Malaysia · August 22, 2026 at 6:11 PM · AI-assisted report
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JOHOR, 23 AUGUST 2026 —
Johor Claims First SUKMA Football Gold in Penalty Shootout
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KUALA LUMPUR — Johor secured its first-ever gold medal in men’s football at the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) after defeating host state Selangor 4-2 in a penalty shootout at Stadium MBPJ on Thursday night.
The final ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, with Johor prevailing in the shootout as Selangor’s hopes of a home victory were dashed in front of nearly 11,000 spectators.
Johor, led by coach Pedro Collado Celda and bolstered by several JDT IV players, took an early lead in the 20th minute when Daniesh Amirruddin scored with a long-range strike that Selangor goalkeeper Farish Farhan Zalani failed to stop.
Selangor responded quickly, earning a penalty in the 28th minute after Ahmad Lutfi Hadi Sahabudin brought down Haykal Danish Haizon inside the box. Haykal calmly converted the spot-kick from 12 yards in the 30th minute, tying the match 1-1 and sparking celebrations among the home crowd.
Tensions escalated late in regulation when a hard tackle sparked a brief altercation between players and officials from both sides before order was restored. The physical encounter continued into extra time, where Johor faced a scare when striker Danish Hakimi Sahaludin suffered a serious collision in the 100th minute and was stretchered off to hospital.
Neither side managed to score in extra time, forcing a penalty shootout. Johor goalkeeper Danial Idraqi Asmir made saves against Hafifi Muhtadee Billah Zailani and Zarul Aidil Mokhtar, setting the stage for Johor’s historic victory.
Daniesh Amirruddin, Arayyan Hakeem Norizam, Izzuddin Afif Nazarudin, and Naim Zainudin all converted their penalties, while Selangor’s shootout attempts fell short. The result marked Johor’s first SUKMA football gold after decades of waiting, while Selangor settled for silver on home soil.
Perak claimed bronze after defeating Pahang 4-0 in the third-place playoff in Shah Alam.
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