Asian Champions Trophy: India win record fifth title, Pakistan secure bronze medal

A brace each from Hannan Shahid and Sufyan Khan enabled Pakistan to clinch bronze medal in the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy when they conquered South Korea 5-2 at the Moqi Training Base, Hulunbuir, China, on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, on the same day, India beat China 1-0 in a thrilling match as they bagged a record fifth title. Jugraj Singh’s goal in the 10th minute of the fourth quarter helped India secure victory.

India, who were also the defending champions, remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and won all of their seven matches.

In the third-fourth place match against Pakistan, Korea’s captain Jungjun Lee provided lead to his team at the start of the second quarter which they maintained till its end.

However, in the third quarter Sufyan Khan made it 1-1 via short corner before Hannan Shahid struck to give the Green-shirts a 2-1 lead.

Jihun Yang brought the parity for Korea soon afterwards before Rooman put Pakistan ahead at the stroke of third quarter. Sufyan then again provided lead to Pakistan with a penalty corner conversion before Hannan Shahid completing double to seal a fine win.

Pakistan hockey team celebrates winning bronze medal at the Asian Champions Trophy 2024. Asian Hockey Federation

Pakistan had a calm start to the six-nation event when they were held by both Malaysia and Korea in their initial two outings. Pakistan then revived their title hopes by beating Japan 2-1 before they crushed China 5-1 to qualify for the semi-finals. However, they lost 2-1 to India in their last pool match.

In the semi-finals China beat Pakistan 2-0 in penalty shootout to make it to the final for the first time in the Asian Champions Trophy history.

Pakistan’s main target should be Olympics

Three-time gold medalist Pakistan haven't qualified for the Olympics in their last three attempts.

“This is an Asian level performance and our main target should be to play in the Olympics,” former Olympian Saleem Nazim told Nukta.

“We want to play Olympics but unfortunately for the last 12 years we even failed to qualify for it.”

Nazim also urged Pakistan team to improve their standard by playing some of the best teams in the world.

“Our main target should be to come in the top ten rankings. Look, China, I think, is at the 23rd spot in the FIH world ranking and they are playing the Asian Champions Trophy final. Victory is victory and its good for the Pakistani boys but the issue is that we don’t go abroad as no nation invites us,” he said.

“Nations in FIH top ten don’t come to Pakistan. If we don’t play against top teams, how will we improve? Look, Korea and Malaysia have fielded their young teams. But on the other hand, Pakistan have even called the discarded players,” he said.

He also lamented lack of proper infrastructure and planning for hockey in Pakistan.

“We don’t have infrastructure and any development plan. Look at India, they have imported all its development staff from Australia. They spend money rightly which has been beneficial as they also won bronze medal in the Paris Olympics,” said Nazim, who was part of Pakistan hockey team which won 1976 Montreal Olympics bronze medal.

“They [PHF] only want to top in Asia and there too they have finished at the third spot. It’s good that it was not Pakistan-India final as there we could have faced more humiliation,” he added.

Nazim was also not impressed with Pakistan’s coach Tahir Zaman, who was appointed just a few days before the Asian Champions Trophy.

“He [Zaman] is a better trainer for emerging nations like Kenya, Egypt, Oman and Zimbabwe since he has not won many titles as coach,” Nazim concluded.