Pakistan hockey team reaches India via Attari-Wagah border, will participate in Asian Champions Trophy
The Indian team will start its campaign against China on August 3.
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The Pakistan hockey team reached India on Monday (August 1) via the Attari-Wagah border to participate in the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy. The men's Asian Champions Trophy is organized by the Asian Hockey Federation every year since 2011. It consists of the top six hockey teams of Asia. The tournament takes place in a round-robin format. This time Chennai has got to host it. The tournament will run there from August 3 to 12.
India and Pakistan are the joint most successful teams in the history of this tournament. Both have captured the title thrice each. India has won in 2011 and 2016. Whereas, Pakistan won in 2012 and 2013. Both teams became joint winners in 2018 and the last time South Korea captured the title in 2021. This is the first time that India is hosting the tournament. This time, apart from India-Pakistan, teams from China, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia will play.
Ties will be stronger through sports: Pakistan coach
Pakistan hockey team coach Muhammad Saqlain said, “The team is going to Chennai to play in the Asian Champions Trophy and teams from all over Asia will participate in the tournament. Through sports, we hope to strengthen our relationship. I believe that our relationship with India will grow stronger through the sports and film industry. The people of both countries have big hearts and treat their guests well.
What did the Pakistan captain say?
Pakistan hockey team captain Muhammad Umar Bhutta said, "The team will play in the Asian Champions Trophy. Sports is a good thing, it helps you build relationships with others. There should be a lot of sports." Under the round-robin format, all the teams will play one match each against each other. The top four teams of the group will advance to the semi-finals. At the same time, the match will be played for the fifth place between the remaining two teams.
India-Pakistan match on August 9
The Indian team will begin its campaign against China on August 3. Whereas, Pakistan's first match will be against Malaysia on the same day. There will be a match between India and Pakistan on August 9. This will be the last match of the league round. After this, two semi-finals will be held on 11 August and the final match will be held on 12 August.