Asian Champions Trophy: Six best Hockey teams in Asia are gearing up for the Asian Champions Trophy 2023. The tournament is scheduled to kick-start from 3rd August 2023 at Chennai. With less than a fortnight left for the high-profile international event to begin, teams are eagerly looking forward for the event. The tournament has a significant importance as it will serve as a warm-up event ahead of the all important Asian Games.
Also Read: Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2023: Check Complete Schedule, Timings
Asian Champions Trophy gives opportunity to face top teams in Asia
The Asian Champions Trophy gives an opportunity for top-ranked teams in Asia to face each other. The tournament will feature six teams – India, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan and China. India is the highest ranked Asian team in the World Rankings. The Harmanpreet Singh led side are ranked fourth in the World.
South Korea and Malaysia are within the top ten in the World rankings at 9th and 10th spots respectively. Pakistan and Japan are ranked 16th and 19th respectively.
With the best teams is Asia all set to battle in the tournament, this serves as a rehearsal ahead of the Asian Games. These teams are likely to face once again at Hangzhou later during the multi-nation continental event this September.
Last chance for teams to assess before Asian Games
The Asian Champions Trophy will be the only multi-nation event to almost all the teams before they depart to the Asian Games. Hence, for all the teams, every game will be important in the tournament.
Teams have the chance to not only test their strength but will also be able to able to assess the other teams. Earlier in an interview, Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh highlighted the importance of the tournament. He stated, “Doing well in the Asian Champions Trophy at home will definitely set us up for a good show at the Asian Games.”
Teams to play on a Surface that will be used in Paris Olympics
Ahead of the tournament, a new playing surface at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium has been completely rolled out. The new blue Poligras turf sourced from Germany is said to be a carbon zero hockey turf. It will be the first time that India will get to play on this turf. Incidentally, this is the same surface that will be used in the 2023 Olympic Games in Paris.
The Asian Games will also serve as a qualifier for the Paris Olympics 2024. Hence playing on the new surface during the Asian Champions Trophy will help the teams acclimatize to it as the same surface is also likely to be used at the Asian Games.
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