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The 2024 Asian Champions Trophy is set to begin in Hulunbuir City, Mongolia, with the Indian men's hockey team kicking off their title defence against the host nation, China. The match is scheduled for Sunday, September 8, at 3:30 PM IST. India enters the tournament brimming with confidence after securing a second consecutive bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. As the most successful team in the history of the Asian Champions Trophy, with four titles (including one shared with Pakistan in 2018), India is considered the favorite to take home the trophy again in this ten-day, six-team tournament.
One of the most significant changes for the Indian team is the retirement of veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh after the Olympics. In his place, Hockey India has named 27-year-old Krishna Bahadur Pathak as the new regular goalkeeper. Pathak, who debuted for India in 2018, has only played one tournament as the first-choice goalkeeper, the 2018 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, when Sreejesh was rested. The 2024 Asian Champions Trophy marks only his second instance as India's regular goalkeeper at the senior level, making it a crucial opportunity for him to prove his mettle on the international stage.
While India is the clear favorite in their group, another prominent team, Pakistan, will be in action against Malaysia from 1:15 PM IST. Pakistan, the tournament's second most successful team, will be looking to challenge India's dominance and make their mark on the tournament. The match between Pakistan and Malaysia promises to be a closely contested battle, showcasing the high level of competition in the Asian Champions Trophy. The tournament provides a platform for these teams to prepare for upcoming major events, including the Asian Games, and will be a captivating spectacle for hockey enthusiasts.
Source: Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2024 LIVE UPDATES: IND 3-0 CHN, 4th QTR; MAS draw PAK 2-2