Group stage matches in the ongoing Asian Hockey Champions Trophy have concluded with all teams having played five matches each.
In today’s first match, Japan beat China 2-1 and kept their semi-final hopes alive, with the loss, China secured the last position on the points table.
In the second match, Malaysia defeated Korea 1-0, but just a one-goal defeat was nothing less than a blessing for the Koreans as they managed to keep their goal difference a bit better.
Meanwhile, in the last match, India handed Pakistan a four-goal defeat with skipper Harmanpreet Singh scoring two goals for his side.
This was the first time Pakistan failed to finish in the top four since the introduction of the Asian Champions Trophy.
Pakistan, Japan and Korea all had the same number of points but the latter teams made their way to the semi-finals due to better goal difference.
Points Table
Pakistan and India have won the Asian Champions Trophy thrice each, which makes them the most successful teams in the event.
Korea won the title in 2021 after beating Japan on penalties in the final in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
All six teams will each play five matches in the round-robin stage with the top four set to qualify for the semi-finals. The last four matches will be held on August 11, with the final on the next day.
Schedule of remaining matches
August 11 — Friday
Fifth place game – Pakistan vs China
Semi-final 1 – Malaysia vs Korea
Semi-final 2 – India vs Japan
August 12 — Saturday
Third place game – Loser semi-final 1 vs Loser semi-final 2
Final – Winner semi-final 1 vs Winner semi-final 2
