Hockey Asian Champions Trophy: Hosts India began the Asian Champions Trophy campaign with a 7-2 victory against China at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on 3rd August 2023. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh and Varun Kumar scored braces each. Sukjeet Singh, Aakashdeep Singh and Mandeep Singh also entered the scoresheet in the game. Earlier, Malaysia clinched a comprehensive 3-1 win against Pakistan in the second match of the day. Defending champions South Korea kick-started the campaign with a 2-1 win against Japan in the opening game.
Also Read: Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2023: Schedule, LIVE Streaming, All you need to know
Day 1 Results
- South Korea BEAT Japan – 2-1
- Malaysia BEAT Pakistan – 3-1
- India BEAT China – 7-2
South Korea vs Japan
Defending champions South Korea started their Asian Champions Trophy title defence on a winning note, beating Japan 2-1.
It all began in the sixth minute when Ryoma Oooka netted the opening goal of the tournament before Cheoleon Park equalised in the 26th, as both the teams went into half-time break locked at 1-1. Just five minutes into the third quarter, JungHoo Kim found the back of the net to put the Japanese side in front.
It was followed by some relentless attacks from the Koreans. However, the Japanese defence held on firmly to grab the three points in the end. Raiki Fujishima of Japan was yellow-carded in the 14th, whereas Manjae Jung of Korea saw green in the seventh.
Malaysia vs Pakistan
Firhan Ashari struck twice as Malaysia defeated Pakistan 3-1 in the second game. For Malaysia, Ashari scored in the 28th and 29th minutes, while Shello Silverius found the net in the 44th minute.
Pakistan’s lone goal was scored by Abdul Rehman in the 55th minute. Firhan Ashari scored a quick brace in an acrobatic fashion through field strikes to put his side in the driver’s seat as the teams headed into the half-way break.
After the restart, Pakistan continued to find ways to penetrate and score, coming close on some occasions but failed to find the back of the net. A minute before the third quarter ended, Malaysia tripled their lead, as Silverius comfortably tapped the ball in past Pakistan goalkeeper Akmal Hussain. Pakistan eventually got a consolation goal in the 55Rehman scoring from a field effort.
India vs China
The Indian men’s hockey team started off their Asian Champions Trophy 2023 campaign on a high as they overpowered China 7-2.
Harmanpreet Singh (5’, 8’), Sukhjeet Singh (15’), Akashdeep Singh (16’) Varun Kumar (19’, 30’) and Mandeep Singh (40’) struck for India, helping the home side to a massive win while E Wenhui and Jiesheng Gao scored for China in second half.
India, currently placed fourth in the FIH men’s hockey rankings, went on the offensive right from the beginning and pushed world number 25 China on the backfoot. The Indian men’s hockey team will next play Japan on Friday, who lost 1-2 to the South Korea in their opening match on Thursday.
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