While the men who play cricket continue to occupy prime spectator-mind-space in India, hockey – our national game brings us much reason for good cheer as well. The prestigious Asia Cup is on right now and our men in blue have given us an early Diwali gift by winning their third match on the trot - this last one against arch rivals Pakistan.
Initiated in 1982, the Asia Cup is held in various locations in Asia every few years. South Korea emerged victors in the last two Asia Cups at Malaysia (in 2009 and 2013). India won the championship in the two Asia Cup events previously – in 2003 and 2007 and has been the first runner up in five of nine Asia Cup events.
The current Asia Cup is ongoing in Dhaka, Bangladesh (11 to 22 October 2017). Pool A includes India, Pakistan, Japan and Bangladesh. Pool B has Malaysia Korea, China and Oman.
India comprehensively defeated Japan 5-1 and demolished Bangladesh 7-0. As one of the favorites of the competition and among the top Pool A teams, this was expected.
On Sunday, the Indian team came up against arch rivals Pakistan. India won 3-1 to continue their unbeaten run at the Asia cup and emerge at the top of the table for Pool A. This was also the fifth time in a row that India beat Pakistan.
Captain Manpreet Singh is confident of his team’s ability to win this time around; even though India lost the last Asia Cup final to South Korea. This time around, the Indians are confident of winning also because of their current top ranking as the highest ranked Asian team in the world. The skipper is mindful of this advantage but is conscious that his team cannot take it easy at all. Going forward it is his aim to get into the top 3 world rankings.
Today will be the last matches of the round robin matches of the tournament; concluding Pool B matches. Tuesday is to be a rest day and the Super 4s will start on Wednesday, 18th October. Chinglensana Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and Harmanpreet Singh scored goals against Pakistan for India. We are wishing all the men in blue the very best of luck for the Asia Cup and beyond.
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