Three-time champions India will try to overcome their poor recent performance and earn a spot in the World Cup by defeating lower-ranked China in a difficult opening match on Friday in Rajgir, Bihar, in the men’s Asia Cup hockey competition.
India and China are grouped with Japan and Kazakhstan in Pool A. Five-time champions South Korea, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei are in Pool B.
Kazakhstan, who will play in their first Asia Cup in more than thirty years, and Bangladesh took the place of Pakistan and Oman, who both pulled out of the competition.
Pakistan chose not to participate, citing security concerns in the wake of India’s Operation Sindoor after the April terror assault in Pahalgam.
The final is set for September 7 and the top two teams from each pool advance to the semifinals.
The competition is India’s last and best chance to earn a spot in the World Cup, which Belgium and the Netherlands will jointly host from August 14–30 next year.
India failed in their maiden effort to guarantee a position, falling to seventh place in the world following a disappointing FIH Pro League European leg.
With just one victory in eight games and the longest losing streak in the team’s history (seven games), India’s head coach Craig Fulton was forced to start again and field a full-strength squad for the Asia Cup.
The Asia Cup, according to Fulton, is the “most important tournament of the year.”
India is the top-ranked team in the competition and the international hockey flag-bearer for the continent.
Pressure, opportunity, and the necessity of silencing detractors with a dominant show are all brought about by the tag.
Fulton’s “defend-to-attack” strategy, which failed in the Pro League, needs to be reevaluated. India conceded 26 goals in eight games, primarily as a result of the defenders’ preventable errors.
Additionally, the Harmanpreet Singh-led team cannot afford to make a defensive blunder in this tournament.
Given how much the squad depends on Harmanpreet, penalty corner conversion would also be a major worry for India. Sanjay, Jugraj Singh, and Amit Rohidas have all struggled to perform in his absence.
Another significant issue was revealed by India’s performance in the Pro League’s European leg: goalkeeping.
Suraj Karkera and Krishan Bahadur Pathak are the team’s two custodians following PR Sreejesh’s retirement. However, the latter appeared shaky under pressure, while the former found it difficult to handle aerial balls.
India’s recent record against Asian competitors is intimidating. In 14 matches during the 2023 Asian Games and 2024 Asian Champions Trophy, the squad scored 94 goals. History, however, cautions against complacency.
The 2022 Asia Cup medal served as a grim reminder that following a high, form can drop off a cliff.
Along with Sumit, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj, Sanjay, and Rohidas, Harmanpreet will be in charge of the defense.
Vivek Sagar Prasad, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Rajinder Singh, and Raj Kumar Pal will all play in the midfield.
The seasoned players Mandeep Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, and Dilpreet Singh will be responsible for scoring goals.
India, who are now rated 23rd in the world, will enter the match as the overwhelming favorites against China, but the host team cannot afford to underestimate the quick-footed Chinese.
The Chinese are not regarded as serious competitors in the event and rely primarily on counterattacks. Third place in the 2009 Asia Cup in Kuantan, Malaysia, is China’s best Asia Cup result.
They only had one appearance at the Olympics, as hosts in 2008, yet they came in 11th place. In 2018, China participated in just one World Cup and placed tenth. Players from Inner Mongolia, where the Daur people have played Beikou, a game akin to field hockey, for hundreds of years, make up the majority of the Chinese squad.
India cannot afford to take China lightly, though, and the brittle defensive line must be at its strongest to stave off any assaulting threats from swift Chinese forwards.
Squads:
India: Krishan B Pathak, Suraj Karkera, Sumit, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh (Captain), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Mandeep Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh
China: Ao Xu, Chen Qijun, Gao Jiesheng, Chen Chengfu, Meng Yuanfeng, Li Pengfei, Chen Chongcong (Captain), LU Yuanlin, Meng Dihao, Xu Jiebin, Du Shihao, Zhang Xiaojia, Ao Suozhu, Meng Nan, Lin Changliang, Guo Xiaolong, Wang Weihao, Wang Caiyu, Ao Yang, Chen Benhai
