Indian Hockey Team Aims to Defend Asian Champions Trophy Title

The Indian men's hockey team, fresh from their Olympic bronze medal triumph, will embark on a new chapter as they aim to defend their Asian Champions Trophy title in Donghae, South Korea. The tournament, which begins on Sunday, will pit India against top Asian hockey nations, including China, Japan, Pakistan, Korea, and Malaysia.

India, the only team to have won the ACT title four times, will be the favorites to retain their crown. Led by skipper Harmanpreet Singh, the team boasts a blend of experienced Olympians and promising youngsters.

"We want to begin the fresh Olympic cycle by winning this tournament," said Harmanpreet. "We have a few youngsters trying to make their impact in the team, and we'll be looking to play a structured defense against strong teams like Japan, Malaysia, and Pakistan."

India's opening match will be against hosts China on Sunday. They will then face Japan, Malaysia, Korea, and arch-rivals Pakistan in the round-robin stage. The semifinals and final are scheduled for September 16 and 17.

Young midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad, Harmanpreet's deputy for this tournament, emphasized the importance of the ACT in assessing the progress of Asian teams ahead of the 2026 Asian Games.

"This tournament will give us a chance to see the progress the Asian teams are making," said Vivek. "We're excited to play quality matches and entertain the hockey-loving people of this region."

The Indian team has been impressed by the facilities in Donghae, which they believe is one of the most beautiful hockey venues in the world.

"The facility is incredible," said Vivek. "The excitement of hosting the first international tournament here is quite evident, and we're looking forward to playing quality matches and entertaining the hockey-loving people of this region."

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