The Asian Hockey Federation on Friday released the schedule for the Champions Trophy, which will be played from August 3 to 12 in Chennai, India.
The tournament includes teams from India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Japan and China and all these teams are in the same pool.
Pakistan will play its first match against Malaysia on August 3, second match against Korea on August 4, third match against Japan on August 6, fourth match against China on August 7 and fifth match against arch-rivals India on August 9. .
The final of the event will be played on August 12. Pakistan and India have jointly won the event twice and once in 2018.
The training camp of the shortlisted players of the national hockey team to participate in the Asian Champions Trophy is currently underway at the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore.
The Asian Champions Trophy is considered a major event as it provides an opportunity to prepare the team for the 2023 Asian Games in China, which begin in September, qualifying for a place at the 2024 Paris Olympics. There are also rounds.
It may be noted that Pakistan recently reached the finals of the Junior Asia Cup 2023 in Oman and also qualified for the Junior Hockey World Cup 2023, even though the PHF was facing severe financial crisis. The Green Shirts suffered a 2-1 defeat against arch-rivals India in the final.
The PHF is facing financial crisis in terms of conducting training camps, travel, boarding and lodging expenses of Pakistan Hockey Team in international hockey competitions and salaries of players and coaches and other members of team management. But it is hoped that the success of the Pakistan Junior team in Oman and qualification for the Junior World Cup will solve the federal government’s financial problems.
Asian Champions Trophy 2023 Hockey Tournament Complete Schedule
August 3 (Thursday)
Korea vs. Japan
Malaysia vs Pakistan
India vs China
August 4 (Friday)
Korea vs Pakistan
China vs Malaysia
India vs Japan
August 5 (Saturday) – Rest day
August 6 (Sunday)
China vs. Korea
Pakistan vs Japan
Malaysia vs India
August 7 (Monday)
Japan vs Malaysia
Pakistan vs China
Korea vs India
August 8 (Tuesday) – Rest day
August 9 (Wednesday)
Japan vs. China
Malaysia vs Korea
India vs Pakistan
August 10 (Thursday) – Rest day
August 11 (Friday)
5th/6th place – 5th in pool vs. 6th in pool
Semi Final 1 – 2nd in Pool vs 3rd in Pool
Semi Final 2 – 1st in Pool vs 4th in Pool
August 12 (Saturday)
3/4th Place – Loser SF 1 v Loser SF 2
Final – Winner SF 1 vs Winner SF 2
