Organized by the Asian Hockey Federation, the 2021 Asian Championship marks the sixth time this prestigious men's hockey event has been held. Six of Asia's elite national squads will compete in a round-robin style. The action begins on December 14th and culminates in the grand final on December 22nd. Since the tournament began in 2011, India has emerged as champions on three separate occasions.
The 2021 Asian Championship is the sixth edition of the Men’s Asian Champions hockey tournament organized by the Asian Hockey Federation. Six best Asian national teams will compete in a round-robin format. The Asian Hockey championship event will kick off on 14th December and the grand finale will be played on 22nd December. India has won the tournament thrice since its establishment in 2011.
India's recent dominance includes victories in 2016 in Kuantan, Malaysia, and in 2018 in Muscat, Oman. The 2018 trophy was actually shared with Pakistan because non-stop rain made it impossible to play the final. Heading into this tournament, the Indian squad is entering a new phase, relying on a group of young talents looking to prove their capabilities. Their journey starts today against South Korea, and they will face Bangladesh, the tournament hosts, on December 15th.
The Indian team's third challenge arrives on December 17th against their fierce rivals, Pakistan, followed by a match on December 19th against Japan, the current Asian Games titleholders. Team captain Manpreet Singh stressed that starting the tournament with a victory is vital to boost the morale of the newcomers.
Manpreet also pointed out that South Korea is a formidable opponent with skilled players who can effectively neutralize India's offensive pressure. He recalled the 2017 Asia Cup league stage at this same venue, where Korea fought hard to secure a 1-1 draw against India. Because of this, he believes it is essential for the Indian side to be tactically sound and disciplined in their fundamentals when facing the Korean team.
This tournament carries significant weight for all six participants as it represents the first major competition following the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. With a new Olympic cycle beginning, every team is looking for a fresh start. For India, an opening win would provide a massive psychological boost.
This event serves as a major breakthrough for several young players who have finally been given a shot on the big stage. Many of these athletes spent the last two years on the sidelines while the management prioritized a core group for the Olympics. After a long period of hard work and preparation, these youngsters now have the platform to demonstrate their skill.
The Indian squad appears to be in peak physical condition, having undergone rigorous fitness training during their recent camp in Bhubaneswar. The team is curious to see how their Asian competitors have evolved over the last two years, making this tournament an ideal benchmark for everyone involved.