Asian Hockey Champions Trophy: India ready for high-voltage clash against Pakistan

MOKI: It’s time for the most awaited clash of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy as India and Pakistan lock horns on Saturday at the Moki Hockey Training Base.

The Indian team will enter this match being at the top of the points table. The team is captained by experienced dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh. Pakistan’s team is captained by Amad Butt. This team has also remained undefeated in the tournament so far and is in second place.

Defending champions India have performed brilliantly in all their matches so far. They beat China 3-0 in the first match, Japan 5-1 in the second match, Malaysia 8-1 in the third match and Korea 3-1 in the last match. India has made it to the semi-finals first.

Pakistan has also shown consistent improvement in the tournament. They drew 2-2 against Malaysia and Korea, beat Japan 2-1 and China 5-1 to finish second in the points table.

There is a tremendous rivalry between the two teams on the field, but outside the field the players of these teams have a good relationship with each other.

Indian captain Harmanpreet said, “I have been playing with some of the Pakistani players since my junior days and we share a special bond. They are like my brothers. However, on the field, we will play them like any other opponent and keep our emotions under control.”

Pakistan captain Amad also expressed similar views. He said, “India has played brilliantly in the tournament so far. We will take confidence from the matches we have played and I must say that we have improved in every match. We have played hockey with discipline. We will try to do the same against India.”

Amad said, “We have defended well against our opponents in the last few matches and will try to do well against India as well, especially in penalty corner defence.”

India has managed to beat the neighbouring country easily in its previous matches against Pakistan. India defeated Pakistan 10-2 in the Asian Games last year, before this Pakistan lost 4-0 to India in the Champions Trophy held in Chennai.

The match between Pakistan and India was drawn 1-1 in the Asia Cup 2022 held in Jakarta 2022. While in the Hero Asian Champions Trophy held in Dhaka, India won the bronze medal by defeating Pakistan 4-3.

Indian hockey team captain Harmanpreet believes, “These statistics do not matter before the match. He said, past results do not matter much. Pakistan is a strong team and they have the ability to counterattack at any time in the game. We are looking forward to the match tomorrow.”

–IANS

Read this also – Click to read news of your state/city before newspaper