Asian Champions Trophy: We need to keep up the pace of the game, says India the vice-captain Hardik as the squad arrives in Chennai
The Indian men’s hockey team is gearing up for the Asian Champions Trophy, set to begin on Thursday, with a focus on controlling the tempo of the game and starting on a positive note. Vice-captain Hardik Singh emphasized the need to approach every match diligently and put forth their best efforts.
The team arrived in Chennai with confidence and determination, aiming to clinch the coveted title in the tournament. India has been preparing rigorously for the event, which will also serve as preparation for the upcoming Asian Games. The team’s recent performance in Spain, including a 2-1 win against the Netherlands, has boosted their confidence.
India, along with Pakistan, is the most successful team in the history of the Asian Champions Trophy, having won the tournament thrice each. They now aim to secure the trophy for a record fourth time.
The tournament will see India facing Japan, Korea, Pakistan, China, and Malaysia, with their first match against China on August 3. The format involves all six teams playing five matches in the round-robin stage, after which the top four teams will move into the semifinals.
Chief coach Craig Fulton expressed satisfaction with the team’s recent performance in Spain and stated that they have started playing the way they like to play. He also mentioned making tactical changes in their game and aims to implement them in the Asian Champions Trophy. The tournament will serve as a platform to prepare for the upcoming Asian Games.
Out of the six participating teams, India, Malaysia, Japan, and Korea have already arrived in Chennai, while Pakistan and China are scheduled to arrive later on Tuesday night.
