The Men’s Asian Champions Trophy is set to begin on September 8, at the Moqi Hockey Training Base in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, China. India has won the tournament four times and plans to repeat the victory for the fifth time. However, recently India won bronze medal at Paris Olympic 2024.

Alongside India, the competing teams include hosts China, Japan, Pakistan, Korea, and Malaysia, all eager to make their mark in this marquee event. Last year, India clinched the title on home soil, becoming the only team to win the tournament four times. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh is determined to maintain India’s dominance in the continental championship.

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Harmanpreet Singh remarked, “Winning the Asian Champions Trophy last year gave us momentum for the Asian Games and the Olympics. We aim to kick off this Olympic cycle with another victory.” He added, “While we have ten Olympic team members, we also have new players looking to make an impact. We will focus on our attacking strengths and penalty corners while playing a structured defense against teams like Japan, Malaysia, and Pakistan. This tournament is crucial for our world ranking, and we’re ready for the challenge.”

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India’s campaign begins with a match against China, followed by a game against Japan on September 9. After a day off, they will face last year’s runners-up Malaysia on September 11 and Korea on September 12. They will then play against Pakistan on September 14, with the semi-finals and finals scheduled for September 16 and 17.

Vivek Sagar Prasad, who will serve as vice-captain in Hardik Singh’s absence, commented, “This tournament is one of the highlights of the Asian Hockey calendar. It’s a chance to see how Asian teams are evolving as they prepare for the 2026 Asian Games.”

Arriving in Moqi on September 4, the Indian team is well-prepared for their title defense. “We’ve had ample time on the pitch and the weather is favorable, though it gets chilly in the evenings. The venue is stunning and one of the most beautiful hockey facilities in the world. We’re excited to play and entertain hockey fans here,” concluded Vivek Sagar Prasad.

(With ANI Inputs)