Defending champions India eye winning start to title defense at Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2024

The Indian women’s hockey team will start their Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 campaign against Malaysia on November 11.

The Indian women’s hockey team, led by newly appointed captain Salima Tete, is keen to begin their title defence at the Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024. The very first international hockey tournament in Bihar will be held from November 11 to 20, featuring Paris Olympics silver medallists China, as well as Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium.

Led by captain Salima Tete and vice-captain Navneet Kaur, India will commence their campaign against Malaysia on 11th November. The Indian women’s hockey team has a good record against Malaysia in recent times having defeated them 5-0 in the Jharkhand Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2023 and 6-0 in the 2022 Asian Games.

Before that India had registered a comprehensive 9-0 victory against Malaysia in the Women’s Asia Cup 2022.

“This is the first time I will be leading the team out in a manor international tournament, and I am proud that I have been trusted with this responsibility. The mood of the team is very good, and we are eager to get the Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 underway. We play against Malaysia first, but our minds are set that we need to play as a team, not as individuals and we will win all our matches.

“This experience will also help us prepare for our mission to qualify for the next Olympics. We are ready, now is the time to show everyone that we are a very fit, high-level team capable of beating the best teams in the world,” Indian women’s hockey team captain Salima Tete shared.

Defending champions India face Malaysia 🇲🇾 in their opening match at the Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2024. 🇮🇳🏑India's full schedule for the tournament! 👇#Hockey #WACT2024 pic.twitter.com/8N9nqjAC7S

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) November 11, 2024

Their contest against Malaysia will be followed by a match against Korea on 12th November. After a day of rest, India will face Thailand on 14th November. On 16th November, India will challenge Paris Olympics silver medallists China and conclude the pool stage with a match against Japan on 17th November.

Also Read: Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 matches rescheduled to early hours

India must secure a top four finish among the six teams to advance to the semifinals on 19 November. The winners will then progress to the Final, scheduled for 20 November. This tournament marks the Indian women’s hockey team’s first Asian competition under chief coach Harendra Singh, who took charge earlier this year.

“The team’s body language has changed in the last few months, at this point we are all well aware of our roles and responsibilities. The Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 is a big platform for the team to excel and showcase our potential. This is the first step towards the ‘mission LA28’ and the team is eager to show everyone that we are on the right path,” coach Harendra Singh added.

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