s2h team
India has been a domineering force in the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy domain since inception. Midfield maestro Manpreet Singh, who has led India thrice out of six appearances, gave moments of joy for the hockey fans. India has won the cup twice and shared it once. Only once — in 2013 when India sent its B team — India returned without a medal.
The tournament is known for the inaugural edition in 2011 when a new foreign coach Michael Knobbs took over the Indian reigns. He was so lucky to have the soft tournament as the opener. India entered the final after defeating China 5-0, South Korea 5-3, while drawing three other teams Japan (1-1), Malaysia (2-2) and Pakistan (2-2). The tournament was played on round robin based. So, India and Pakistan played the final with either side scoring no goals. However, Indian goalie PR Sreejesh came out strongly in the tie-breaker and the winning goal in the tie-breaker was struck by Yuvraj Walmiki, which made him a star.
However, in the next edition at Doha, Pakistan overcame India 4-5 in the final. India decided to field its second string in the 2013 edition and paid for it. It could not beat Japan, Pakistan and China and could only have full points with Oman and Malaysia. It landed them at fifth in a field of six, so far the lowest rank.
The last edition was held at neighbour country Bangladesh. India will certainly forget it as a bad dream. The same team Japan, whom India beat in the league 6-0, turned the tables on them in the semifinals and walked away with a one-sided 5-3 win. This reversal and stunning defeat almost sealed the fate of Manpreet Singh as captain. Since then a replacement for him was being sought. The solace however came when India beat Pakistan 4-3 in the bronze medal match.
India need to redeem its image in the Asian Champions Trophy now what it is being held at home, and a bad previous edition still refuses to fade from memory.
INDIA AT ASIAN CHAMPIONS TROPHY RECORD
PLAYED: 37
WON: 24
DRAWN: 8
LOST: 5
GOALS FOR: 145
INDIA AT ASIAN CHAMPIONS TROPHY RECORD
CAPTAINS
2011: Rajpal Singh (GOLD)
2012: Sardar Singh (Silver)
2013: Manpreet Singh (5th)
2016: PR Sreejesh (Gold)
2018: Manpreet Singh (Jt winners)
2021: Manpreet Singh (bronze)