2024-09-16 20:16:32
Hulunbuir (China) The time has come for the most awaited match of Hockey’s Asian Champions Trophy when the teams of India and Pakistan will face each other today. The undefeated Indian team, which has made it to the semi-finals, will look to maintain its dominance against its arch rival Pakistan in the last round robin match on Saturday. Defending champions India are at the top of the points table with four wins in four matches, while Pakistan is at the second spot. The match will be telecast live on Sony Sports Network from 1:15 PM onwards. In other matches of the day, Malaysia will face Korea and China will clash with Japan.
Won matches in one sided fashion
The bronze medal winning Indian team of Paris Olympics defeated China 3-0, Japan 5-1, Malaysia 8-1 and Korea 3-1. On the other hand, the Pakistani team playing under the guidance of great forward Tahir Zaman played a 2-2 draw with Malaysia and Korea. While it defeated Japan 2-1 and China 5-1. Talking about the current form, India has the upper hand. India defeated Pakistan 10-2 in the Hangzhou Asian Games last year. Before that, it had registered a 4-0 win over Pakistan in the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai. In the 2022 Asia Cup in Jakarta, the young Indian team held Pakistan to a 1-1 draw, while in the 2021 Asian Champions Trophy Dhaka, India won the bronze medal by defeating Pakistan 4-3.
Captain Harmanpreet is also excited
Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh has maintained his excellent form from the Paris Olympics and is very excited to play against Pakistan. Harmanpreet said, ‘I have been playing against some of the Pakistani players since my junior days and we have a special bond. They are like my brothers. However, on the field we will play them like any other opponent and will keep our emotions under control.’
A decade of dominanceIn the overall record, Pakistan has defeated India more times. In 179 matches between the two countries, Pakistan has won 82 times while India has won 65. However, India has maintained its dominance over Pakistan for the last decade. In the 25 matches played between the two countries since 2013, India has won 16 while Pakistan has won only five. India’s record in the Asian Champions Trophy is even stronger. India has defeated Pakistan seven times in 11 encounters while it has lost only two. Two matches were draws.