Defending champs India open Asian Champions Trophy campaign against Malaysia

The Indian women’s hockey team, led by newly appointed captain Salima Tete, is keen to begin their title defence when they face Malaysia at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy that commences in Rajgir from Monday.

The tournament, which is the first international hockey tournament in Bihar, will be held from November 11 to 20, and features Paris Olympic silver-medallists China, as well as Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium.

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 Ranchi 2023 and 6-0 in the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022. 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 major 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 Rajgir 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,” said Salima.  

“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.”

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

India must secure a top-four finish among the six teams to advance to the semi-finals on November 19.

Tags : Hockey India, Asian Champions Trophy, Salima Tete, Rajgir, Bihar, Malaysia, Japan, Korea, Thailand