Why China are on track to replace Pakistan as Asia's 2nd biggest hockey nation

Recent performance hint at China are on course to be the 2nd biggest hockey nation in Asia.

The night was electric in Chennai when China hockey team stunned Pakistan in the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy semifinal; while the match ended 1-1, the East Asian country held their nerve in the shootout to win 2-0 and reach their first-ever final.

That breakthrough run was no fluke. It was the result of years of planning, investment and a new vision for hockey in a country that once lingered in Asia’s shadows.

Just a day later, China pushed India to the limit in the final, falling only 1-0 and that result sent a message: the Chinese men were no longer outsiders. Today, the team is ranked under 25, and it is fair to say they are closing ground with Pakistan if not leapfrogging them already.

The story continued in the 2025 Asia Cup, where China collected wins against traditional giants, reached the semifinals as genuine contenders, and ultimately finished fourth. Pakistan, meanwhile, withdrew from the tournament but their results lately haven’t been what they used to be.

Pakistan, once the pride of hockey with four World Cup wins and three Olympic golds have not reached an Asian Champions Trophy final since 2018 and continue to be hampered by financial crises and unstable leadership.

China hockey team’s rise has roots in culture and modern structure. Beikou, a traditional stick-and-ball game played for over 1,000 years by the Daur people in Inner Mongolia has served as a historical backbone.

Also Read: Women’s Hockey Asia Cup: Full list of title winners

Today, the national program has married that heritage with modern expertise. Foreign coaches like Michel van den Heuvel, Roelant Oltmans and Anthony Farry brought European tactical systems that improved defensive discipline and their pace on the counterattack.

The women’s program has already arrived at the top. In 2025, China defeated India to win the Women’s Asia Cup and qualify for the World Cup.

It comes a year after the Chinese side claimed bronze, where India failed to win a medal and Pakistan’s women did not even qualify. Their perfect group-stage record in the 2025 Asia Cup, scoring 31 goals and conceding none, showed their complete dominance.

Crowds at home often coincide with national festivals, which have given Chinese teams passionate backing. More importantly, consistent government investment has ensured infrastructure, coaching, and player development never run dry.

Results since 2022 tell the story clearly:

• Asian Games 2022: China 4th, Pakistan 5th
• Asian Champions Trophy 2024: China 2nd, Pakistan 3rd (China won semifinal)
• Asia Cup 2025: China wins, Pakistan withdrew
• Paris Olympics 2024: China women bronze, Pakistan absent

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