Indian hockey team beat China 3-0 in its campaign opener at Asian Champions Trophy 2024.© X/@asia_hockey

The stage is set for the prestigious Men’s Asian Champions Trophy which will begin on Sunday here at the picturesque Moqi Hockey Training Base which overlooks the Nierji Dam in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia in China. Reigning Olympic bronze medallist India start as favourites to defend the title while hosts China, Japan, Pakistan, Korea and Malaysia have arrived with hopes of a grand outing in the marquee tournament. Last year, India won the title at home, making them the only team to bag four titles in the history of the tournament. The team’s skipper Harmanpreet Singh is keen on continuing India’s dominance in the continental championships this year too.

Here are the details of India’s opening game that is set to take place against China –

When will the India vs China, Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey match be played?

The India vs China, Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey match will be played on September 8, 2024.

Where will the India vs China, Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey match be played?

The India vs China, Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey match will be played at Moqi Training Base in Hulunbuir City, China.

What time will the India vs China, Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey match start?

The India vs China, Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey match will start at 3:30 PM IST.

Which TV channels will live telecast the India vs China, Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey match ?

The India vs China, Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey match will be telecast live in Sony Sports network TV channels.

Where to follow the live streaming of the India vs China, Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey match?

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

With IANS Inputs

File photo of Indian hockey team.© AFP

Hours before his last hurrah, celebrated India hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh described his international career as “nothing short of extraordinary” and expressed his gratitude to the countrymen for believing in him. The 36-year-old from Kerala will hope to end his illustrious 18-year-long career with a medal when he steps on to the field for one last time along with his teammates in the bronze playoff against Spain in the Paris Olympics.

“As I stand between the posts for the final time, my heart swells with gratitude and pride. This journey, from a young boy with a dream to the man defending India’s honour, has been nothing short of extraordinary,” he wrote on ‘X’.

“Today, I play my last match for India. Every save, every dive, every roar of the crowd will forever echo in my soul. Thank you, India, for believing in me, for standing by me. This is not the end, but the beginning of cherished memories.

“Forever a custodian of dreams.” Sreejesh had announced his retirement plans ahead of his fourth appearance at the Olympics.

As I stand between the posts for the final time, my heart swells with gratitude and pride. This journey, from a young boy with a dream to the man defending India’s honour, has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Today, I play my last match for India. Every save, every dive,… pic.twitter.com/pMPtLRVfS0

— sreejesh p r (@16Sreejesh) August 8, 2024

The veteran goalkeeper has been in good form as he produced some sensational saves in the tournament, including two in the quarterfinal shoot-out against Great Britain, to help India seal a second consecutive Olympic semifinal spot.

He had played a pivotal role in India’s bronze-medal winning feat at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.

After making his debut at the 2006 South Asian Games, Sreejesh was a part of various memorable wins for India, including a gold in the 2014 Asian Games and a bronze medal in the 2018 Asiad in Jakarta-Palembang.

He was also part of the Asian Champions Trophy-winning side in 2018, and the 2019 FIH Men’s Series Finals champion team in Bhubaneswar.

Assured of a quarterfinal berth, India will aim for consistency when they take on reigning champions Belgium in their tough penultimate Pool B match of the Olympic Games in Paris on Thursday. The Red Lions are leading Pool B with three wins from as many matches, while the Indians are a rung below in the second place with two wins and a draw. Mighty Australia are placed third with seven points from two wins and a loss. Argentina have also qualified for the quarterfinals with four points from three games, which includes a win, a draw and a loss.

New Zealand and Ireland are out of the race after suffering three consecutive losses. Only the top four can make the last-eight stage cut.

The Indians started their campaign on a shaky note with a close 3-2 win over New Zealand and then scored a last-minute goal to salvage a draw against former champions Argentina.

But against Ireland, it was a completely different performance from the Indians, at least in the first two quarters. They dominated the possession with one-touch play to score two goals in the first quarter which proved vital in the end.

India skipper Harmanpreet Singh once again rose to the occasion, first converting a penalty stroke and then finding the net from a set piece in the second quarter to hand his side the win.

The Indian mid-field, led by veteran and four-time Olympian Manpreet Singh and vice-captain Hardik Singh, also brought their A game to the table, creating several chances for the forward-line.

The likes of Mandeep Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, Gurjant Singh and Sukhjeet Singh sparkled upfront by keeping the pressure on the opposition defence.

Against Ireland on Tuesday, India opted for one-to-one short passes to build their attacks, instead of going for aerial balls.

Right-back Jarmanpreet Singh has been a revelation in the tournament so far and was omnipresent, be it in defence or creating chances from flanks.

Another player who deserves credit is Amit Rohidas, who produced a rock solid performance at the back. He defended the penalty corners brilliantly being the first rusher and from one-on-one situations.

But it is India’s wall, goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who is living up to his reputation in his Olympic swansong. He made multiple good saves against Ireland in the last two quarters to hand his side the win.

After Belgium, India will end their pool engagements against nemesis Australia on Friday.

The Indian men’s hockey team reached Paris ahead of the Olympics 2024 on Saturday evening. The official X handle of Hockey India shared the news with the fans, marking the beginning of India’s Olympic dreams and men’s hockey’s first gold medal since 1980. The Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya encouraged the fans to cheer for the team India as they look all set to kickstart another illustrious chapter of Indian hockey history.

Dreams take flight as Indian Men’s Hockey Team touched down at the Olympic Village for #Paris2024.

The Olympic dream begins now!

.

.

.

.#HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame #IndiaAtOlympics #Hockey @CMO_Odisha @FIH_Hockey @IndiaSports @JioCinema @Media_SAI @sports_odisha… pic.twitter.com/ptLeEi51TU

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) July 20, 2024

“Our incredible Hockey team has just touched down in Paris to join the rest of #TeamIndia at the Olympic Village. Let’s cheer them on as they embark on their quest for the big medal. We believe in you, team. All the best! #Cheer4Bharat,” tweeted Mandaviya.

Our incredible Hockey team has just touched down in Paris to join the rest of #TeamIndia at the Olympic Village.

Let’s cheer them on as they embark on their quest for the big medal. We believe in you, team. All the best!#Cheer4Bharat pic.twitter.com/NojItsxCv6

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) July 20, 2024

India will commence their Paris 2024 Olympics campaign on July 27 when they take on New Zealand in their first pool B match at 2100 hrs IST. After a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, the Indian team will look to change the colour of their medal to gold.

India will begin their Paris 2024 Olympics journey in Pool B, with a match against New Zealand on July 27, followed by a match against Argentina on July 29. They will then face Ireland and Belgium on July 30 and August 1 with their final group-stage game against Australia on August 2. A top-four finish will ensure that India advances to the knockout stages.

The Paris Olympics 2024 will start on July 26 and conclude on August 11. India will look to outdo its tally of seven medals from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which included a gold, two silver, and four bronze medals.

It is worth mentioning that the Indian Men’s Hockey Team has a rich Olympic history, having secured an impressive 12 Olympic medals, including 8 Gold, 1 Silver, and 3 Bronze medals, hence, the Harmanpreet-led team will be aiming to add another medal to the tally.

Indian Men’s Hockey Team for Paris 2024 Olympics:

-Goalkeepers: PR Sreejesh

-Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Sanjay

-Midfielders: Rajkumar Pal, Shamsher Singh, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad

-Forwards: Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh

-Alternate players: Nilakanta Sharma, Jugraj Singh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak.