Hero Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2023: India to Face China in Opening Match

New Delhi: The Hero Asian Hockey Champions Trophy is set to kick off on August 3rd at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai, with hosts India facing off against China in their opening match. The tournament will feature six nations, including Korea, Japan, Pakistan, Malaysia, China, and India, competing for the top honours.

The action-packed event will begin with Korea taking on Japan, followed by a clash between Pakistan and Malaysia on the same day. All teams will be part of a single pool, and the points table positions will be determined through a league system. The final match is scheduled for August 12th.

The much-anticipated encounter between India and arch-rivals Pakistan will be the last league match for India on August 9th. South Korea, the defending champions, will be aiming to retain their title, while India and Pakistan have previously won the tournament three times each.

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed his delight in hosting the event and anticipated exceptional hockey from all participating nations. Asian Hockey Federation President Dato Fumio Ogura also emphasized the significance of the tournament, aiming to create an unforgettable experience for players, fans, and stakeholders.

Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh highlighted the announcement of the schedule as a crucial milestone before the tournament. Sekar J Manoharan, President of the Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu, stated that the Hero Asian Champions Trophy would be an excellent opportunity for Chennai to warmly welcome international hockey.

Here is the schedule for the tournament:
– August 3rd: Korea vs. Japan, Malaysia vs. Pakistan, India vs. China
– August 4th: Korea vs. Pakistan, China vs. Malaysia, India vs. Japan
– August 5th: Rest Day
– August 6th: China vs. Korea, Pakistan vs. Japan, Malaysia vs. India
– August 7th: Japan vs. Malaysia, Pakistan vs. China, Korea vs. India
– August 8th: Rest Day
– August 9th: Japan vs. China, Malaysia vs. Korea, India vs. Pakistan
– August 10th: Rest Day
– August 11th: 5/6th Place (5th in Pool vs. 6th in Pool), Semi-Finals (2nd in Pool vs. 3rd in Pool, 1st in Pool vs. 4th in Pool)
– August 12th: 4th Place Loser SF1 vs. Loser SF2, Final