Asian Champions Trophy 2023: Top three teams favourites to win title

Published at :August 6, 2023 at 4:47 PM

Modified at :January 13, 2024 at 5:03 PM

(Courtesy : Hockey India)

India and Pakistan are joint highest winners in the tournament history with three titles each.

The highly anticipated Asian Champions Trophy 2023, which began on August 3, is nicely poised at the moment with each team putting their best foot forward to grab the title. The top six teams of Asia are competing with each other at the Major Radhakrishnan Stadium, which marks the return of international hockey to the prestigious venue after a hiatus of 16 years.

The Asian Champions Trophy has been a significant event since its inception in 2011, featuring a consistent presence of three teams: India, Pakistan, and Japan. Notably, in the last edition, Japan earned the second spot, while India secured the third place after defeating Pakistan in a fiercely contested match. Such moments of competition and skill contribute to the fervor and intensity of this prestigious tournament.

In this article let us look at the top three teams who are favorites to win the Asian Champions Trophy 2023 title.

3. Malaysia

Malaysia Hockey Team — **Malaysia are making a return after missing the previous edition (Courtesy: Hockey India)**

If we look at the table, Malaysia are at the top at the moment with two wins from two matches. They defeated Pakistan 3-1 and China 5-1 in their opening two matches, which states their dominance. Malaysia, who have finished third a record five times in the competition history, are going to be a clear threat for other teams, mainly India, who are eyeing a title win at home.

2. South Korea

South Korea Hockey Team — **South Korea are the defending champions (Courtesy: Hockey India)**

South Korea has shown significant progress in recent years and are the defending champions in the tournament, making them one of the title favourites. They are currently third in the table with a win against Japan and draw against Pakistan.

In the second match, they were trailing against Pakistan but equalized with a goal from Jihun Yang through a penalty stroke.

1. India

Indian Men's Hockey Team — **India are the highest ranked nation in Asia (Courtesy: Hockey India)**

This year India have entered the tournament as the title favourites. Given their exceptional performances in the past few seasons, it will be an arduous task for the opposing teams to defeat India. Moreover, India currently hold the top rank in Asia, which is a proof of their dominance over other teams in the region.

However, India’s journey towards claiming the title won’t be without challenges, as they will face formidable competition from South Korea, Malaysia, and Pakistan.

Currently, India holds the second position in the tournament standings, with victory against China and a draw with Japan. The Men in Blue has showcased their dominance on the field, particularly in their match against China, emphasizing their strong determination in the competition.

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The forthcoming crucial fixture against Malaysia, scheduled for Sunday, presents an opportunity for India to potentially secure the top spot in the standings with a triumph. They will then face arch-rivals Pakistan in a highly anticipated clash on Wednesday.

A triumphant performance in this tournament would not only solidify India’s position at the summit but also serve as valuable preparation for the forthcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou.

In conclusion, it can be inferred that every team will face formidable challenges en-route to the final. A meticulous approach to strategic planning and its proficient implementation on the field will undoubtedly serve as the key to achieving triumph.

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