The 2016 Asian Champions Trophy is all set to kickstart tomorrow at Kuantan, Malaysia. Asia’s top six hockey teams will lock horns with each other in the 11-day-long competition which will determine Asia’s best. The teams include China, India, Japan, Pakistan, South Korea and hosts Malaysia. The tournament will also be the first on-field battle between India and Pakistan after the Uri attack has turned the clock back on bilateral relations of any kind, including cultural and sporting ties.
Asian Champions Trophy History
The inaugural edition of Asian Champions Trophy took place in Ordos, China in 2011 where eight-time Olympic gold medalist India overcame arch-rivals Pakistan 4-2 in a thrilling penalty shootout after both sides remained goalless at the end of added extra time.
Pakistan avenged their loss the following year when they pipped India 5-4 in a dramatic final at Doha, Qatar. In 2013, Pakistan retained their crown after overcoming a defiant Japan, beating them 3-1. India put up a poor show in that edition of the tournament, claiming only the fifth spot.
The tournament, which is returning after a gap of three years, has garnered a lot of attention with the Asian powerhouses eyeing supremacy on the hockey field.
Tournament Format
The tournament follows a round robin format with all the six teams getting a chance to battle it out with each other once. The teams that manage to finish in the top four positions will qualify for the semis. The winners of the semis will play for the gold and silver respectively while the losing sides of the semis will clash in the bronze medal match while the remaining bottom two will play for the fifth and sixth spot.
Here’s a look at the six teams that are in contention for the 2016 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy title.
India
The inaugural champions who had a miserable outing in the previous edition will be looking forward to reclaim the title this year. Having secured silver in both Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and FIH Men’s Champions Trophy this year, India will be keen to go a step ahead and clinch the gold. Indian skipper PR Sreejesh will be determined to guide the team over the finish line. The men in blue will miss the service of experienced forward SV Sunil, midfielder Manpreet Singh and drag flicker VR Raghunath who are all out of action due to injuries.
The presence of senior players like Sardar Singh, Kothajit Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh will definitely boost the defence and midfield. The attacking position seems to be the spot of bother for team India who will have to rely heavily on Ramandeep Singh and Nikkin Thimmaiah. It will be interesting to see how Roelant Oltmans’s boys perform in the tournament.
FIH Ranking: 6
Best Result: Winners (2011)
South Korea
Probably the most dangerous and unpredictable team in the competition, South Korea is known for their quick passes and high energy on the field. Having won silver in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the Koreans have had a great outing when it comes to Asian tournaments where they have lifted the ASHF Asia Cup four times including the previous two editions.
FIH Raking: 11
Best Result: Fifth (2011)
Pakistan
Pakistan comes into the tournament as defending champion. The new-look Pakistan side has gone through a tremendous transition with many young guns coming into the side. The men in green have had a very rough time in the past year as the team failed to qualify for the Olympics for the first time in nearly seven decades. The last international tournament Pakistan played was way back in April at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup where they finished fifth.
Head coach Khawaja Junaid claims the boys have worked on their weaknesses and one can expect the green brigade to come up with a clinching display on the field. Skipper Mohammad Irfan along with Aleem Bilal and Ammad Shakeel Butt are sure to elevate the performance of the team with their solid defence techniques. The defending champs have a lot to prove to their critics in the upcoming tournament.
FIH Raking: 13
Best Result: Winners (2012 and 2013)
Malaysia
The hosts will have a major advantage of playing at home, with immense crowd support and favourable conditions. Malaysia has displayed consistent performance in the past where they ended up winning bronze in all the three previous occasions.
The yellow brigade has always been considered the sleeping giant of field hockey and has the capability to upset any top team on any given day. With the inclusion of penalty-corner specialist Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim, one can definitely expect a flurry of goals. The return of midfielder Nabil Fiqri Mohd Noor and forward Faizal Saari has further boosted the chances of Malaysia making it to yet another podium finish. The home fans will be delighted if Stephen van Huizen’s side can clinch the gold this time around.
FIH Raking: 14
Best Result: Third (2011, 2012 and 2013)
Japan
Japan has retained 12 members from the squad that played the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup seven months ago where they finished last. With the average age being just 23, the Japanese team will be dependent on their star players with the likes of drag-flicker Shota Yamada, forwards Kentaro Fukuda and Hiroki Sakamoto, midfielder Kazuma Murata and defender Kenji Kitazato.
The absence of senior players Koji Kayukawa and Yamashita Manabu will definitely hurt the team that has gone for younger blood. The resilient Japanese side will want to repeat their 2013 success again and will be aiming to take it a step further and go for gold this year.
FIH Raking: 16
Best Result: Runner-up (2013)
China
The Chinese team is yet to make their presence felt at the global tournaments. Having managed to finish fourth in the last two occasions during the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy, it will be a huge moral boost for China if they spring a surprise or two by upsetting the top sides.
FIH Raking: 18
Best Result: Fourth (2012 and 2013)
India vs Pakistan: Mother of All Battles
Of all the matches that are set to take place, the battle between India and Pakistan will surely be the most anticipated one for fans of the rival nations. Expect a lot of intense action and a cracker of a game as India takes on Pakistan Sunday, October 23.
At the end of 20 gruelling battles between the six teams on the field, the winner of 2016 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy will be determined. Defending champs Pakistan will have to put their best foot forward to retain their crown, but to do that they will have to get past the five Asian power houses who themselves are hungry for success.