Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 3 (ANI): The lengthy wait is sort of over because the Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 is all set to begin on Thursday with 1000’s of hockey followers ready to absorb the thrilling and intriguing moments throughout the 10-day extravaganza on the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Egmore, which final witnessed a world match in 2007.
The anticipation is clear with followers gathering on the stadium within the lead-up to the occasion solely to get a glimpse of their favorite hockey stars.
While defending Champions Korea would be the workforce to be careful for, the reigning Olympic Bronze medal-winning Indian Men’s Hockey workforce will start as favourites for the title. Riding on their latest outing in Spain, India led by one of the crucial profitable drag glints in world hockey Harmanpreet Singh will look to start their marketing campaign on a powerful observe.
“In tournaments like these, no team can be taken lightly. We are looking forward to these matches and seeing where we stand when we play Asian teams. Of course, we want to win every match and perform well here ahead of the Asian Games.” acknowledged the India Captain emphasizing that this match is a preparatory take a look at earlier than the actual problem for an Olympic berth in Hangzhou Asian Games.
Adding to the Captain’s views, Chief Coach Craig Fulton mentioned, “It is great that we are getting to play these matches ahead of the Asian Games. It gives us the ideal platform to study the other teams and also see how players excel in the roles they have been assigned to execute. We had some very good matches in Spain and a good training block before that in Bengaluru. I am excited and looking forward to the matches here.”India is scheduled to play Japan of their second match on Friday, August 4 adopted by their match in opposition to Malaysia on Sunday, sixth August. India will play Korea on Monday, August 7 adopted by a day’s relaxation earlier than they tackle nemesis Pakistan in a highlight-anticipated match on Wednesday, August 9 earlier than going into the knockouts.
“Understandably, there is a lot of excitement around the India-Pakistan matches, be it in cricket or in hockey. Naturally, there will be emotions running high when we play against Pakistan. But, for us, it’s just another game and we will go into the match with just one focus to win the game,” expressed Harmanpreet.
With the Asian Champions Trophy, a marquee occasion within the Asian Hockey calendar, being performed in India for the primary time, the hosts are eager on holding the file intact in Egmore. “Chennai has been a special venue for the Indian team. In 2007, the team won the Asia Cup. We are eager to play in front of the spectators here and look forward to high-octane matches,” Harmanpreet signed off.
On Thursday, August 3, 2023, India will tackle China at 2030 hours IST.
Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 can be stay on Star Sports and Fancode. It may even be stay streamed on watch.hockey for viewing exterior of India. (ANI)