Men’s hockey team returns to India after winning Asian Champions Trophy
The Indian side led by captain Harmanpreet Singh secured the trophy for the fifth time after beating hosts China 1-0 in the final at the Moqi Hockey Training Base on Tuesday.
The Indian side led by captain Harmanpreet Singh secured the trophy for the fifth time after beating hosts China 1-0 in the final at the Moqi Hockey Training Base on Tuesday.
Led by ace drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh, defending champions India will enter the match as table toppers, having convincingly won all their four Asian Champions Trophy games so far.
Vice Captained by midfielder Hardik Singh the five-match tour will be a litmus test for the team in their preparations for the Olympic Paris 2024.
Ranked world no 4, India is placed in Pool B alongside formidable opponents: reigning Olympic Champions Belgium (world No. 2), Australia (world No. 5), Argentina (world No. 7), New Zealand (world No. 10), and Ireland (world No. 12). Notably, Argentina and Australia also have etched their names as former Olympic Champions.
India will play against hosts Spain, Germany, France and Belgium in the tournament, which will serve as the preparatory event ahead of the FIH Pro League games.
According to sources, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) decided to have joint flag bearers for the continental event.
India are placed in Pool A, alongside Pakistan, Japan, Bangladesh, Singapore, and Uzbekistan. Pool B consists of Korea, Malaysia, China, Oman, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Indian men’s hockey team jumped to the third spot in FIH Men’s Hockey World Rankings on Sunday following their Asian…
"Winning the Asian Games title will give the team direct entry to the Paris Olympics and we are working on that" the captain said.
India was placed fourth in this season's league behind the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Belgium. Despite finishing fourth, India the tournament in goal scoring with 51 goals in 16 games.
