In-Form India Clear Favourites Against South Korea In Asian Champions Trophy Hockey Semifinal

15.09.2024 - 21:14 sports.ndtv.com

Maintaining a clean slate, favourites India will fancy their chances when they take on a below-par but unpredictable Korea in the semifinals of the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Hulunbuir, China on Monday.

Paris Olympics bronze medallist India have been in rollicking form in the tournament so far, registering five wins out of five league matches.

The Harmanpreet Singh-led side started their campaign with a 3-0 win over hosts China and then trounced Japan and Malaysia 5-1 and 8-1 respectively.

India then beat Korea 3-1 before eking out a narrow 2-1 win over arch-rivals Pakistan. It has been a commanding performance from the Indians as they excelled in every department -- be it forwardline, midfield or defence.

hockey performer FIVE Paris Olympics Manpreet Singh Harmanpreet Singh China Japan India Pakistan South Korea Malaysia

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh credited India's recent success to strong team camaraderie, emphasising that their deep bond and willingness to "die for one another" helped them overcome China to win the Asian Champions Trophy for a record-extending fifth time. India rode on Jugraj Singh's late strike to defeat China 1-0 in a tense final in Hulunbuir on Tuesday. Pakistan won the bronze medal with a 5-2 win over South Korea. “The final was really intense; the Chinese were breathing down our necks throughout the game and made it really difficult for us to create a clear goal scoring chance,” Harmanpreet said in a Hockey India release.

Mega Cash Prize For India's Asian Champions Trophy Winners: Rs 1.5 Lakh Each For Support Staff, Players Get...

Hockey India has announced handsome prize money for the triumphant members of the India team that lifted a record-extending fifth Asian Champions Trophy (ACT). India cruised to the Asian Champions Trophy 2024, winning every single game, scoring 26 goals and conceding only five in seven games. Hockey India have announced a reward of Rs 3 lakh to every player, while Rs 1.5 lakh will be awarded to every support staff member. Following on from their Olympics 2024 bronze medal success, 2024 has proven to be a great year for Indian men's hockey.

"Willing To Die For One Another": India Captain Harmanpreet Singh Hails Team Bonding After Asian Champions Trophy Triumph

Mega Cash Prize For India's Asian Champions Trophy Winners: Rs 1.5 Lakh Each For Support Staff, Players Get...

Jugraj Singh Shines As Dominant India Beat China To Win 5th Asian Champions Trophy Title

A determined India claimed their fifth Asian Champions Trophy title with a fighting 1-0 victory over hosts China on Tuesday, completing a display of absolute dominance in the tournament in which they won all their matches. Defender Jugraj Singh scored a rare field goal as the defending champions toiled hard before getting the better of their opponents. It was not easy for the Harmanpreet Singh-led India as they failed to break the Chinese defence in the first three quarters. Eventually, Jugraj broke the deadlock in the 51st minute to hand the Paris Olympics bronze medallists the win against a resolute Chinese side, which was playing in only its second international tournament final.

Jugraj Singh Shines As Dominant India Beat China To Win 5th Asian Champions Trophy Title