The Asian Champions Trophy 2024, a prestigious men’s field hockey tournament, is set to take place in Chennai, from August 3rd to 12th. Hockey India (HI) confirmed the tournament schedule, which will see the Indian men’s hockey team kick off their campaign against China on August 3rd at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium.
The tournament opener will witness an exciting clash between South Korea and Japan, as announced by the Asian Hockey Federation. Following their match against China, India will face Japan on August 4th, Malaysia on August 6th, South Korea on August 7th, and their arch-rivals Pakistan on August 9th.
The Teams
The Asian Champions Trophy 2024 will feature six competing teams: South Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan, China, and India. The tournament will adopt a league format, where each team will face every other team once. All matches will be played at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai.
This event marks the return of international hockey to Tamil Nadu after a 16 long year. The Indian team will face tough competition from defending champions South Korea, who will be determined to retain their title. India and Pakistan have been the most successful teams in the history of the tournament, with both nations securing three titles each (India in 2011, 2016, and 2018, and Pakistan in 2012, 2013, and 2018).
Previous Edition
The previous edition of the Asian Champions Trophy was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2021, where South Korea emerged victorious by defeating Japan in the final through a penalty shootout. The Indian team secured a bronze medal by defeating Pakistan in a thrilling encounter.
Prepration for Asia Games 2024
It is believed that the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 will serve as a crucial preparation event for the Indian men’s hockey team ahead of the Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Hangzhou, China in September-October.
With the tournament set to showcase the best of Asian hockey talent, fans can look forward to a thrilling competition filled with fierce rivalries and exceptional skills. The teams for the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 hockey tournament and the specific competition format will be revealed at a later date, adding to the anticipation and excitement surrounding the event.
