Hulunbuir (China), Sep 13: Defending champions India have made four out of four so far in their title defence in the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2024 at the Moqi Training Base, here.
Harmanpreet Singh led India have already stormed into the semifinals. But their last league stage match on Saturday is likely to be awaited with baited breath by hockey fans.
The reason being, arch rivals India and Pakistan will be pitted against each other for yet another intense battle on hockey field.
Though India have proved their supremacy over Pakistan in recent years and have won two consecutive Olympics Bronze medals in Tokyo and Paris, but in an Indo-Pak match the results can swing either way.
Considering India's performance so far in the tournament, Harmanpreet & Co have won all their four matches. India have defeated China 3-0 , Japan 5-1 and Malaysia 8-1 and Korea 3-1.
Indian skipper Harmanpreet is in fine form and against Korea he scored a brace to take his personal international goals tally to 200. That surely is a great feat by the captain, who loves to lead from the front.
Led by ace drag flicker Harmanpreet, India will go into the match as table toppers. On the other hand, Ammad Butt-captained Pakistan will take on India as the second placed team in the points table.
In Asian Champions Trophy 2024, Pakistan, under guidance of hockey legend Tahir Zaman, have been impressive too. Pakistan drew 2-2 against Malaysia and Korea, beat Japan 2-1 and China 5-1 to climb up to the second spot in the points table.
Agreed, India-Pakistan match on Saturday may not have much bearing on the semifinal line-ups, but Craig Fulton's men will be keen to have yet another dominating performance against Pakistan.
The last time India faced Pakistan, the eventual champions thrashed the Men in Green 10-2 in the Pool A match at the Asian Games. That was the highest ever margin India ever beat Pakistan. That was also the first time India scored more than seven goals in their 180 face-offs so far against Pakistan.
Similarly, in the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy, India defeated Pakistan 4-0 and emerged title winners.
Asian Champions Trophy 2024, the six-team tournament is being played in a round-robin format. The top four will advance to the semifinals on September 16, followed by the final on September 17.
