Pakistan Hockey Team Arrives in India for Asian Champions Trophy 2023
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 2 (ANI): The excitement is palpable as the Pakistan Men’s Hockey Team, led by Coach Sheikh Shahnaz, arrived in Chennai on Tuesday to participate in the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2023. The team expressed their enthusiasm about playing in India, as the neighboring nations of Pakistan and China descended upon the city, setting the stage for a thrilling tournament.
On Tuesday night, the China Men’s Hockey Team flew directly to Chennai, while the Pakistan Men’s Hockey Team entered India through the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar before taking a flight to Chennai via Bengaluru. This arrival of both teams has infused the city with energy and anticipation for the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023, scheduled to take place from August 3rd to August 12th.
Pakistan, the most successful team in the tournament’s history alongside India with three championships to their name, are hoping to secure the elusive trophy for a record-breaking fourth time. The tournament will witness intense battles among six teams – India, Pakistan, Korea, China, Malaysia, and Japan.
Speaking about their preparations and the thrill of playing in India, Coach Shahnaz said, We are always excited to play in India, and it definitely adds to the pressure. But good quality players know how to perform and deliver under pressure, hence, we are hopeful of a good show on and off the field.
Coach Shahnaz also emphasized the importance of playing against India, stating, We are here to play positive hockey, and I believe that India and Pakistan should play more matches against each other. It will help both teams take their respective games to the next level.
Furthermore, he highlighted the significance of the Asian Champions Trophy as a precursor to the Hangzhou Asian Games and an opportunity to assess opponents’ strengths and weaknesses. We are hopeful of at least playing the final of the tournament, Coach Shahnaz added.
Adding young players with experienced campaigners in the team has become crucial in modern hockey, as stated by Shahnaz. He emphasized that youngsters possess better fitness levels, bring new energy, commitment, flair, and skills to the team, and can easily adapt to the ever-changing hockey environment.
Captain Umar Bhutta expressed confidence in the team’s ability to handle pressure, particularly for the young players who recently participated in the Junior Asia Cup. This tournament will be familiar to a certain extent for them, and they won’t find it very difficult to get accustomed to the conditions here and play in such high-level tournaments, Bhutta said.
China, on the other hand, is eyeing their first Asian Champions Trophy title and will face the hosts, India, in their opening game on August 3rd. Coach Haiqin Weng expressed excitement about playing in India and also noted that the playing conditions in Chennai are similar to those they are familiar with in China.
The stage is set for an exhilarating competition that will not only showcase hockey skills but also serve as a platform for teams to fine-tune their strategies and build momentum for future tournaments. Excitement fills the air as fans eagerly await the clash of these top-class teams in the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023.
