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India's Hockey Champions Reignite with Commanding Win in Asian Champions TrophyThe Indian men's hockey team commenced their title defense in the Asian Champions Trophy with an emphatic 3-0 victory over hosts China in Hulunbuir, China. The triumph marks a promising start for the team, which recently secured a second consecutive Olympic bronze medal.India's dominance was evident from the outset, with Sukhjeet Singh opening the scoring in the 14th minute. Uttam Singh extended the lead in the 27th minute, and Abhishek sealed the victory with a spectacular reverse hit just two minutes into the second half.The Indian defense proved impenetrable, thwarting China's attempts to penetrate their ranks. The team's cohesive play and clinical finishing were a testament to their preparation and determination.Last year, India emerged victorious in the tournament on home soil, becoming the only team to claim four titles in its history. This year's triumph sets the stage for another successful campaign.In other matches, Malaysia and Pakistan played out a thrilling 2-2 draw, while Japan and Korea engaged in a high-scoring affair that ended in a 5-5 stalemate.India will face Japan in their second pool match on Monday, aiming to maintain their winning momentum. The team's performance in the Asian Champions Trophy will serve as a valuable test ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

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."

Pakistan Hockey Coach Roelant Oltmans Departs Amid Contract DisputeRoelant Oltmans, the head coach of the Pakistan hockey team, has abruptly ended his association with the side due to a lack of a long-term contract. Oltmans, who joined the team earlier this year, was scheduled to accompany them to China for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy. However, he withdrew at the last moment, citing the absence of a proper contract.According to sources within the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), Oltmans has expressed his desire for a long-term contract that would provide him with stability and security. The PHF, however, has been offering him only "event-to-event" contracts due to financial constraints.Oltmans' departure has left the PHF in a difficult position, as the team is set to compete in the Asian Champions Trophy from September 8 to 17. The PHF has been struggling with financial issues for some time, and the Pakistan Sports Board has refused to release funds for the team's travel and expenses.To make matters worse, captain Ammad Butt has reportedly had disagreements with the two local coaches who are accompanying the team to China. The PHF has faced criticism for its handling of the situation, with many questioning the lack of a long-term plan for the team.Oltmans' departure is a significant blow to Pakistan's hockey ambitions. The Dutchman has a wealth of experience, having previously served as the High Performance Director and head coach of the Indian hockey team. His absence will be felt as Pakistan looks to rebuild its team and regain its former glory.

Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh has emphasized the need to move on from the euphoria of their Olympic bronze medal triumph and focus on retaining their Asian Champions Trophy title in Hulunbuir, China.Under Harmanpreet's leadership, India secured a second consecutive Olympic bronze medal in Paris, a feat not achieved in over half a century. However, the skipper believes it's time to turn the page and prepare for the Asian showpiece, which will be held from September 8 to 17."With a brief break after the Paris Olympics, the team is ready to take on the best hockey playing nations in Asia and prove its mettle," Harmanpreet said. "We had a good outing in Paris, but hockey is a very close game, we cannot rest on our laurels."India will face stiff competition from Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan, and hosts China in the Asian Champions Trophy. The team will begin their campaign against China on September 8, followed by a match against Japan on September 9.After a one-day break, India will take on Malaysia on September 11, followed by Korea on September 12 and arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14. The top four teams will advance to the semifinals slated for September 16, with the final scheduled for September 17.India are the most successful team in the tournament with four titles, followed by Pakistan (3). India won the last edition in Chennai, beating Malaysia 4-3 in the final.Vice captain Vivek Sagar Prasad expressed confidence in the team's ability to defend their title, despite the presence of a few new players. "We will do our best to create a nurturing environment for them on the way to our title defense," he said.

Manpreet Singh, the 32-year-old Indian hockey legend, is determined to continue his illustrious career despite the team's recent Olympic success. With two consecutive Olympic medals under his belt, Manpreet is hungry for more and believes the team could have achieved even greater heights in Paris."It feels great to win back-to-back medals, but the way we played all through in Paris, we know we could have gone all the way," Manpreet told The Hindu. "We were very close to the final, and we will always think about what we could have done differently in the semifinal."Since relinquishing the captaincy after the Tokyo Olympics, Manpreet has experienced a resurgence in his form and performance. He attributes this to a change in mindset and the freedom to play his natural game."Earlier, I always had high expectations from myself. During Graham's (Reid) time, I had started playing simple hockey — simple passes, no risks. When Craig (Fulton) took charge, he said you have full freedom to show your natural game and play the way you want — going up, dribbling, and dodging — but do it 100 percent, no half measures," Manpreet explained."Even if someone makes a mistake, we will cover it as a team, watch videos, see how it could be done better. And it's not just me, it's for everyone, we have the license to go anywhere if we see space. Plus, I have matured too!"With the Asian Champions Trophy approaching, Manpreet is eager to get back to the grind. He acknowledges the challenges of maintaining his fitness at his age but is determined to stay competitive."I want to get back to my fitness regime and get better because you cannot survive in modern hockey without it. But I also know that I have to be careful, it gets more difficult every year, and I need to be serious about it," Manpreet said."Yes, it is very difficult — when you compete with 18-19-year-olds, who are obviously fitter and stronger, you have to be mentally and physically tough enough and not give up, beat them, and prove yourself. I know I have to put in extra effort and be more careful even when not in camp – I know sweets or junk food will affect me more than the other guy, I will have to sweat out much more to burn it off. I love pizza, but I last had a bite several months ago. I haven't touched ice cream or sweets or aerated drinks for ages. But you do what you have to do."Manpreet's passion for hockey is evident in his unwavering commitment to the sport. He is driven by the desire to inspire his daughter and leave a lasting legacy in Indian hockey."It feels good to have her in the stands, you know someone is watching you all the time and cheering. A father is a role model for every kid, and I want to keep getting better for her so that when she grows up, she will know what her father did and be proud. I just want to do that for her," an emotional Manpreet said.

After guiding India to a historic second consecutive bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, head coach Craig Fulton faces a new challenge: preparing his team for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy in China. Despite the team's recent celebrations, Fulton remains focused on the task at hand.Reflecting on the Paris campaign, Fulton expressed satisfaction with the team's performance. Despite falling short of their ultimate goal of a gold medal, he praised the team's resilience and determination. He highlighted the team's strong performance in the pool stage and their impressive victory over Australia in the group stage.Fulton believes the team's success in Paris was a result of a well-structured preparation process. He emphasized the importance of the team's warm-up matches against Holland, Great Britain, and Germany, which provided valuable experience and helped them fine-tune their tactics.When asked about the team's best performers in Paris, Fulton declined to single out any individuals, emphasizing the collective effort required in a team sport. He acknowledged the contributions of Harmanpreet Singh, who scored 10 goals, but stressed that his success was made possible by the entire team's efforts.Looking ahead to the Asian Champions Trophy, Fulton acknowledged the challenge of replacing goalkeeper Sreejesh. However, he expressed confidence in the abilities of Pathak and Suraj Karkera, who will be the goalkeepers for the tournament. He also highlighted the importance of building depth in the squad and giving younger players opportunities to prove themselves.Despite the short turnaround time between the Olympics and the Asian Champions Trophy, Fulton remains optimistic about the team's chances. He emphasized the team's desire to defend their title and their commitment to preparing thoroughly for the tournament.

Krishan Bahadur Pathak has been appointed as the main goalkeeper of the Indian hockey team for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy, following the retirement of veteran PR Sreejesh. The tournament will be held in Hulunbuir, China, from September 8-17, and will feature defending champions India alongside Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan, and hosts China.Pathak, who served as India's standby goalkeeper at the Paris Olympics and in previous tournaments, will now take on the primary role, with Suraj Karkera as the reserve custodian. Experienced midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad has been named vice-captain, replacing Hardik Singh, who has been rested along with Mandeep Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, Shamsher Singh, and Gurjant Singh.The tournament presents a significant opportunity for promising drag-flicker Jugraj Singh, who traveled to the Paris Olympics as a standby and will aim to prove his credentials alongside the formidable Harmanpreet Singh. Jugraj has demonstrated his abilities in limited appearances in the Pro League and will seek to solidify his place in the team. Araijeet Singh Hundal will serve as the third drag-flicker.The Indian defense will be anchored by Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, and Sumit. The midfield will comprise Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Manpreet Singh, and Mohammed Raheel, while a young forward line featuring Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Hundal, junior India captain Uttam Singh, and debutant Gurjot Singh will lead the attack.Ten players from the Paris Olympics bronze medal-winning squad have been included in this team. Chief coach Craig Fulton emphasized the importance of the tournament for building ranking points and continuing the team's momentum after their Olympic success. He also highlighted the inclusion of young players who have earned their opportunity through impressive performances in training.India will commence their campaign against China on September 8, followed by a match against Japan the next day. After a day's rest, they will face Malaysia on September 11 and Korea the following day. The team will then take on arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14. The semi-finals and final are scheduled for September 16 and 17, respectively.