Unbeaten Indian Men’s Hockey Team Gears Up for Crucial Clash Against Pakistan at Asian Games

The Indian Men’s Hockey Team has been showcasing exceptional form at the ongoing 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, securing victories in all three of their matches so far.

Their journey began with a dominant 16-0 win over Uzbekistan in a Pool A match, and they continued their impressive run with a 16-1 triumph over Singapore.

Thursday marked a significant test for India as they faced the defending Asian Games Gold medalist, Japan. In a thrilling contest, India emerged victorious with a score of 4-2, maintaining their unbeaten streak.

The next challenge awaits on Saturday when India confronts their neighboring rivals, Pakistan, in a pivotal match, aiming to add another triumph to their record.

Pakistan’s team has also been in impressive form, winning all three of their games thus far. They initiated their campaign with an emphatic 11-0 victory over Singapore, followed by a 5-2 win against Bangladesh and an astounding 18-2 win over Uzbekistan.

Reflecting on the upcoming clash, India’s captain, Harmanpreet Singh, emphasized that the team has been continuously learning from their matches in the tournament, which will be beneficial against Pakistan.

Also Read: Asian Games: Indians finish fifth in men’s and women’s 20 km Race Walk

“Our journey in the tournament has started well, but what’s more significant is that with each match, we’ve gained valuable insights into our gameplay and areas for improvement. Our unbeaten run gives us confidence as we approach the match against Pakistan. We are in good form and rhythm, and now it’s about sustaining the momentum and applying the lessons we learn every day,” he stated.

Harmanpreet also shed light on the atmosphere within the dressing room ahead of the Pakistan encounter, expressing the team’s eagerness to uphold their winning streak in Hangzhou.

“There’s always tremendous excitement in the dressing room when we face Pakistan. The fans are incredibly passionate and vocal. Pakistan possesses a strong team that has performed admirably, so we understand the importance of being at our best to secure a victory. Our motivation stems from our performance so far, and we’re determined to keep our winning streak alive in the tournament,” he affirmed.

The last meeting between these two teams was during the Hero Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai 2023, where India emerged victorious with a 4-0 score. Since 2013, India and Pakistan have crossed paths 24 times, with India claiming victory 16 times, Pakistan securing 5 wins, and three matches ending in a draw.

Also Read: Asian Games: India win silver in women’s 10m Air Pistol Team event

Chief Coach Craig Fulton expressed his satisfaction with the team’s progress in the initial three games. He acknowledged the room for improvement and stressed the importance of addressing these aspects before the crucial match against Pakistan, a formidable opponent also performing well in the tournament.

“We’ve made significant strides in the first three games, and we’re content with our performance. However, there’s always room for refinement, and it’s crucial that we work on those areas as we prepare to face a formidable team like Pakistan, which is also enjoying a strong tournament. We are clear about our objectives and are confident in our ability to achieve them on Saturday,” he concluded.