
India Wins Fifth Asian Champions Trophy Title
Key Performers in the Asian Champions Trophy 2024
Player | Role | Goals Scored |
---|---|---|
Harmanpreet Singh | Captain | 7 goals (Top scorer) |
Uttam Singh | Forward | 3 goals |
Araijeet Singh Hundal | Forward | 2 goals |
Sukhjeet Singh | Forward | 2 goals |
- 3-0 win against China
- 5-1 victory over Japan
- 8-1 dominance over Malaysia
India’s men hockey team won fifth Asian Champions Trophy defeating China 1-0 in the final match that was played in Moqi, China.
This triumph is a continuation of Indian progress in the hockey ranks in the course of being under head manager, Craig Fulton.
The victory also symbolized a new phase for the team particularly when it was entering a new cycle for the Olympics games.
The Indian cricket team did not win the title without some hiccups on the way. As much as the team was a cohesive one throughout the tournament there were occasional attempts at different formation and shifts that indicated that Fulton adopted a conservative approach during this stage of team’s development.
Related articles: India Clinches Fifth Asian Champions Trophy Title with Dramatic Win Over China
A Look Back: Asian Champions Trophy 2023
The transition brought about by new inclusions helped India ensure a continued winning streak.
Just a year earlier, India faced some major hiccups. Under the new leadership of Craig Fulton, the team competed in the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy held in Chennai.
Despite some challenging moments, such as a two-goal deficit against Malaysia in the final, India emerged victorious in front of a cheering home crowd. The victory helped India regain confidence after its ninth-place finish at the 2023 World Cup.
2024 Victory: Key to Continued Growth
In the 2024, the Asian Champions Trophy the Indian men’s hockey team ensured it kept on with it. The transition in the Indian squad yet again was relatively massive and yet the team go on to win he title.
The competition was a good opportunity to rehearse as a team before the other events that are scheduled to come in future such as the FIH Pro League and the Asia Cup that is set to happen in 2025.
Fulton maintained his lineup atSenior and Youth combinations, Fouling only retained 10 players out of the Indian players won bronze medal in the recently concludedParis Olympics 2024.
Some of them missing in action include Hardik Singh, Mandeep Singh and the biggest loss was the retirement of the veteran goalkeeper Sreesjesh Perry after the summer Olympics.
All these changes provided an opportunity to include new faces such as Suraj Karkera and Mohd. Raheel Mouseen, and Uttam singh.
Earlier India performed incredibly well in the league stage of the tournament. This team sailed through the first three matches to record 3-0 set against China, 5-1 against Japan and 8-1 against Malaysia.
These victories signalled how the semifinals phase was much easier for India to get past in this competition.
Still the match against Korea had brought out the real test for the Indian team for the first time in the tournament.
Therefore though Anupa Bandi and Ritu Rani gave India the lead in the initial 15 minutes with a couple of field goals, Korean side was quick enough to respond a goal before half time.
India came to win with 3-2 score but the match proved that Korea is also a stronger team in spite of having lower ratings.
Fierce Rivalry with Pakistan
India’s Matches in Knockout Stage
Stage | Opponent | Score | Key Player |
---|---|---|---|
Semi-Final | Korea | 4-1 | Harmanpreet Singh |
Final | China | 1-0 | Jugraj (goal) |
The goalkeeping rotation highlights Fulton’s trust in younger players and a long-term strategy for team success.
One of the most anticipated matches of the tournament was India’s round-robin clash against its arch-rival, Pakistan. Despite recent troubles in Pakistan’s camp, including a last-minute coaching change, the team performed admirably.
Pakistan took the lead early, but two goals from Harmanpreet Singh gave India a narrow 2-1 win.
The match also saw tempers flare when Pakistan’s Waheed Ashraf Rana elbowed Jugraj in the face, resulting in a tense verbal exchange between the players.
This hard-fought victory ensured India topped the group stage and set up a semifinal rematch against Korea.
India faced Korea again in the semifinals, and this time, the result was much more decisive. India won 4-1, with Harmanpreet Singh scoring a hattrick and Uttam Singh adding to the tally.
Korea struggled to keep up with India’s pace, and the match paved the way for a final clash with host China.
In the final, China put up a strong defensive front, utilizing a low block to frustrate India. For most of the match, the Chinese defense held firm, and it wasn’t until the 51st minute that India found the breakthrough.
Harmanpreet made a brilliant run into the shooting circle, cutting along the baseline before passing to Jugraj, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to secure the win.
While the 1-0 scoreline suggests a close match, India dominated possession and created several chances. However, China’s defensive setup and rare counterattacks kept the game competitive.
Key Performers and Tactical Insights
Harmanpreet Singh was the standout performer for India, leading from the front with seven goals throughout the tournament.
His leadership on and off the field has been crucial for India’s success in recent years. In addition, Uttam Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Araijeet Singh Hundal, and Sukhjeet Singh contributed significantly to India’s attacking play, with each scoring multiple goals.
Despite resting five key players, India’s tactical flexibility allowed the younger members of the squad to gain invaluable experience.
The team’s penalty corner (PC) conversion rate of 27.59% was second only to Korea, showing India’s effectiveness in capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
In goal, Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera filled the void left by Sreejesh’s retirement, conceding only five goals throughout the tournament.
The goalkeeping rotation between the two showed Fulton’s trust in the younger players, further emphasizing the team’s long-term strategy.
While the victory at the Asian Champions Trophy is an important milestone, tougher challenges await India in the upcoming international calendar.
The FIH Pro League, Asia Cup, and the 2026 World Cup will test the team’s depth and ability to perform under pressure.
India’s fifth Asian Champions Trophy title marks the beginning of a new journey, and the team’s ability to evolve will be crucial as it aims for greater success on the global stage.
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References
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