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Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2023

In an exhilarating third-place playoff match at the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy, Japan showcased their prowess by defeating the defending champions, South Korea, with a score of 5-3 on Saturday.&nbsp;From the outset, Japan signaled their intent, embarking on an aggressive attack. Merely three minutes into the match, Ryoma Ooka scored a spectacular field goal, navigating through South Korea's solid defense. Japan's dominant form was evident, and by the 9th minute, Ryosei Kato capitalized on a series of deft maneuvers by Kosei Kawabe and Kentaro Fukuda, further widening Japan's lead.&nbsp;However, South Korea demonstrated resilience. A penalty corner in the 15th minute saw skipper Jonghyun Jang narrowing the deficit, making the score 2-1 in Japan's favor by the close of the first quarter.&nbsp;The intensity only escalated in the next quarter. Japan executed four penalty corners and navigated a brief setback when Ken Nagayoshi received a green card in the 18th minute. Korea's Cheoleon Park managed to equalize after his shot ricocheted off Woo Cheon Ji's stick. But Japan regained their momentum when Kentaro Fukuda scored after receiving a precise assist from Kosei Kawabe, taking Japan into half-time with a 3-2 lead.Post half-time, the game continued to ebb and flow. While Japan couldn't capitalize on an early penalty corner, Korea seized their chance, with Jang again leveling the scores. The teams seemed evenly matched, ending the third quarter at 3-3.&nbsp;The climax in the fourth quarter was gripping. Despite an initial stalemate, Shota Yamada took advantage of a soaring ball from Kosei Kawabe's stick to put Japan back in the lead in the 53rd minute, even as a video referral was declined. In a closing spectacle, Ken Nagayoshi deceived the Korean goalkeeper with a brilliant penalty stroke. Japan, displaying remarkable strategy and tenacity, closed out the match 5-3, ensuring a triumphant end to their campaign.&nbsp;MORE ON SPORTS TAK:<a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/soccer-news/bukayo-saka-nketiah-help-arsenal-seal-narrow-win-over-nottingham-forest-to-kick-of-epl-2023-in-style">Bukayo Saka, Nketiah help Arsenal seal narrow win over Nottingham Forest to kick of EPL 2023 in style</a> <a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/soccer-news/pep-guardiola-engages-in-heated-exchange-with-haaland-despite-manchester-city-triumph-burnley">Watch: Pep Guardiola engages in heated exchange with Haaland despite Man City's triumph, pushes broadcast camera in anger</a>

In an exhilarating third-place playoff match at the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy, Japan showcased their prowess by defeating the defending champions, South Korea, with a score of 5-3 on Saturday.

hero-asian-champions-trophy-9-aug-2023

Asian Champions Trophy: Japan beat defending champions South Korea 5-3 to secure third place

India's men's hockey team secured a gripping 4-3 comeback victory over Malaysia in the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) final, amplifying their preparations for the impending Hangzhou Asian Games. This triumph marks their fourth ACT title and is touted as a significant confidence boost in their pursuit of the Asian Games gold, which holds the key to an automatic berth at the 2024 Paris Olympics.The final saw the Indian side rally from a 1-3 deficit at half-time to clinch the trophy. Head coach Craig Fulton hailed the team's resilience, emphasising the significance of such high-pressure matches as a prelude to major events like the Asian Games."Finals always have their unexpected turns. It's often decided by critical moments or shootouts. While this victory at ACT is monumental, our primary focus remains on the Asian Games. Winning there is the ultimate goal," stated Fulton.Analysing the final's performance, Fulton recognized the challenge of playing back-to-back high-intensity matches. India's emphatic 5-0 win over Japan in the semifinals, according to him, was a testament to their form. However, facing a rejuvenated Malaysian side that dominated the initial half wasn't a walk in the park."Our performance against Malaysia highlighted our team's character. Regrouping during half-time, we believed a single goal could change the momentum. This belief, combined with the camaraderie between senior and junior players, proved vital," Fulton noted.He further elaborated on the team's dynamics, "Overcoming a two-goal lag truly showcases our side's grit. It's one thing to play when leading and another to mount a comeback."While crediting the team for their second-half resurgence, Fulton conceded that their first-half performance left much to be desired. He added, "We are on an exciting journey, but there's still another milestone ahead of us."The proximity of the Asian Champions Trophy to the Asian Games had raised concerns among several teams. Fulton also hinted at the challenges of such tight scheduling, suggesting that teams might benefit from spaced-out tournaments.MORE ON SPORTS TAK<a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/hockey-news/india-snatch-victory-from-malaysia-two-goals-in-one-minute-to-win-asian-champions-trophy-4th-time">India snatch victory from Malaysia with two goals in one minute to win Asian Champions Trophy for 4th time</a><a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/hockey-news/asian-champions-trophy-japan-beat-defending-champions-south-korea-5-3-to-secure-third-place">Asian Champions Trophy: Japan beat defending champions South Korea 5-3 to secure third place</a>

The final saw the Indian side rally from a 1-3 deficit at half-time against Malaysia to clinch the trophy

Indian hockey team head coach Craig Fulton after winning trophy: ACT is fine, primary focus remains on Asian Games

The Indian hockey team was duly rewarded in the latest FIH Rankings after Harmanpreet Singh &amp; Co. bagged their fourth Asian Champions Trophy on August 12 (Saturday) by registering a stunning come-from-behind victory against Malaysia in the final. India jumped to 3rd place in the latest rankings after their stellar display in the recently-concluded continental tournament. The Indian men's hockey team was earlier ranked fourth in the FIH Rankings.India have 2771.35 points and are only behind the top-ranked Netherlands (3095.90 points) and second-placed Belgium 2917.87 points. This was the second time India rose to No 3 in the FIH rankings. India had achieved a similar ranking in 2021 after securing a bronze in the Tokyo Olympics, which was their first medal at the Games in 41 years.Asian Champions Trophy finalTrailing 1-3 in the third quarter, India caught Malaysia napping and netted two goals in a single minute to make an epic comeback in Chennai. The match started with Malaysia setting an aggressive tone, putting the Indians on the back foot. However, India broke the deadlock in the 9th minute when Jugraj unleashed a powerful flick in a penalty conversion, outfoxing the Malaysian goalkeeper.But Malaysia quickly regrouped and consistently challenged India's defence. Their persistence paid off in the 14th minute, with Azari scoring, assisted by Azuan Hasan's precise pass.The first quarter's end saw India squandering two penalty corner opportunities. The second quarter wasn't kind to the home team either. Rahim capitalized on a penalty corner in the 18th minute, thanks to a deflection from India's Amit Rohidas. By the 28th minute, Malaysia had extended their lead to 3-1 with Aminudin's successful penalty corner conversion.Post half time, India looked desperate to level the scores but struggled with conversions. Their efforts to gain penalty corners either missed the mark or were denied by vigilant Malaysian defenders.However, a turning point came in the 45th minute. India's captain, Harmanpreet, swiftly converted a penalty stroke, followed almost immediately by Gurjant's field goal, leveling the game at 3-3.The climax was a nail-biter. India earned several penalty corners in the dying minutes, with Harmanpreet missing narrowly on two occasions. But the breakthrough came from Akashdeep, who fired the winning goal with a crisp slap shot, assisted by Mandeep Singh.&nbsp;MORE ON SPORTS TAK:&nbsp;<a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/cricket-news/jos-buttler-to-lead-conversation-with-ben-stokes-for-odi-retirement-u-turn-england-2023-odi-world-cup-squad-announcement-matthew-mott">Jos Buttler to lead conversation with Ben Stokes for retirement U-turn ahead of England's 2023 ODI World Cup squad announcement</a> <a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/cricket-news/ind-vs-wi-india-skipper-hardik-pandya-yashasvi-jaiswal-shubman-gill-for-series-defining-performances">IND vs WI: India skipper Hardik Pandya lauds Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill for series-defining performances</a>

The Indian hockey team was duly rewarded in the latest FIH Rankings after Harmanpreet Singh &amp; Co. bagged their fourth Asian Champions Trophy on August 12 (Saturday) by registering a stunning come-from-behind victory against Malaysia in the final.

India attain No.3 spot on FIH Rankings after creating history with 4th Asian Champions Trophy crown  

A masterclass performance by India saw them trounce the reigning Asian champions, Japan, with a resounding 5-0 victory, paving their way into the final of the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament held at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on August 11.&nbsp;India, three-time champions of the tournament, took an aggressive stance from the very beginning, employing high-press hockey. In contrast, Japan opted for a more defensive strategy, sinking deep into their defensive half in an attempt to fend off the relentless attacks by the hosts.&nbsp;The initial stages of the match saw India being awarded a penalty corner, setting the tone for their dominance. However, the Japanese goalkeeper, Takashi Yoshikawa, showcased his mettle with a brilliant save, denying India's captain, Harmanpreet Singh, from drawing first blood.&nbsp;Even with Japan's defence trying their best, India controlled the narrative, setting the tempo and maintaining the majority of possession, compelling Japan into a defensive, catch-up style of play.&nbsp;The deadlock was eventually broken during the second quarter. It was the 19th minute when Akashdeep Singh found the back of the net, capitalizing on a rebound after Hardik Singh's shot was parried away by Japan's substitute goalkeeper, Takumi Kitagawa. This breakthrough set the tone for India's forthcoming goals.&nbsp;Building on this momentum, India secured their second penalty corner in the 23rd minute. Seizing this opportunity, Harmanpreet Singh demonstrated his prowess with a low, powerful flick to the left of the Japanese goalie, doubling India's advantage.&nbsp;Adding to Japan's woes, India further solidified their lead with a third goal at the cusp of half-time. Manpreet Singh played a pivotal role in orchestrating this goal, skilfully navigating past three Japanese defenders and setting up Mandeep Singh for a simple finish.&nbsp;The second half of the match mirrored the first. India's offensive onslaught continued unabated, putting immense pressure on the Japanese defence. One of the standout moments came when Sumit netted a potential goal-of-the-tournament contender, executing a back stick flick from a challenging angle. This spectacular effort was made possible due to the diligent groundwork by Manpreet from the right wing.&nbsp;As the match neared its end, young Karthi Selvam etched his name onto the scoresheet, taking the score to 5-0. He was set up brilliantly by Sukhjeet Singh, who had expertly controlled an aerial pass from Harmanpreet.&nbsp;With this victory, India gears up to face Malaysia in the much-anticipated final on August 12. On the other side, Japan will look to salvage pride as they take on defending champions, South Korea, in a contest for the third and fourth place.&nbsp;MORE ON SPORTS TAK:<a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/cricket-news/rohit-sharma-drops-massive-hint-on-tilak-varma-selection-india-2023-odi-world-cup-squad">Rohit Sharma drops massive hint on Tilak Varma's potential selection in India's 2023 ODI World Cup squad</a> <a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/others-news/cristiano-ronaldo-heads-instagram-top-earner-list-virat-kohli-position-earns-a-whopping-rs-11-crore-per-post">Cristiano Ronaldo heads Instagram's top earner list, check Virat Kohli's position, who earns a whopping ₹ 11.45 crore per post</a>

India dominated Japan with a 5-0 victory in the Asian Champions Trophy hockey semi-final in Chennai. They'll face Malaysia in the final, while Japan plays South Korea for third place.

Asian Champions Trophy: India outplay Japan 5-0 in PR Sreejesh's 300th international game to advance to final

After a triumphant journey to the final of the Asian Champions Trophy 2023, India's skipper Harmanpreet Singh shed light on the transformative role played by their head coach, Craig Fulton. Under Fulton's guidance, Team India delivered an impeccable performance in the ACT 2023, culminating in a dominant 5-0 semi-final victory over Japan on Friday.&nbsp;Craig Fulton assumed the mantle of head coach following Graham Reid's resignation, which came in the wake of India's lackluster performance in the World Cup 2023. Under Fulton's leadership, India has witnessed a resurgence, maintaining an unbeaten streak throughout the Asian Champions Trophy.Harmanpreet, who contributed to the scoreboard during the semi-final, was effusive in his appreciation for Fulton during his post-match interaction with the media. As reported by PTI, Harmanpreet commended the coach's instrumental role in reshaping the team.&nbsp;Drawing a comparison with past coaches, Harmanpreet stated, "Every coach has a different mentality. Our past coaches have been good. Even he (Fulton) is good. Every coach thinks about the betterment of the team." Highlighting the adaptability of the team, Harmanpreet further added, "He is doing a good job. While we have brought in structural changes in our team, managing it (changes) at such a short notice is a highly positive point for us. All credit to him."&nbsp;As India prepares for the grand showdown against Malaysia in the finals – a team they convincingly defeated 5-0 in the pool stages – Harmanpreet emphasized the significance of a solid defensive strategy and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Reflecting on the road to the finals, he said, "It's a great achievement to make it to the final, which would be completely different compared to league matches. It was a good performance (on Friday), as we played according to our plans. We even created our opportunities as per the plans."&nbsp;Setting the tone for the upcoming final, the skipper asserted, "Our focus would be to stay strong defensively and convert most of our chances."&nbsp;As India gears up for the final battle in the Asian Champions Trophy 2023, all eyes will be on the team's strategy and performance, hoping that the blend of new tactics and traditional skills will secure them the title.&nbsp;MORE ON SPORTS TAK:<a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/hockey-news/asian-champions-trophy-india-outplay-japan-5-0-pr-sreejesh-300th-international-game-advance-to-final">Asian Champions Trophy: India outplay Japan 5-0 in PR Sreejesh's 300th international game to advance to final</a> <a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/hockey-news/asian-champions-trophy-2023-malaysia-bulldoze-south-korea-to-storm-into-final">Asian Champions Trophy 2023: Malaysia bulldoze defending champions South Korea to storm into final</a>

After a triumphant journey to the final of the Asian Champions Trophy 2023, India's skipper Harmanpreet Singh shed light on the transformative role played by their head coach, Craig Fulton.

Asian Champions Trophy 2023: Skipper Harmanpreet Singh lauds coach Fulton's impact ahead of final thriller against Malaysia

Gearing up for the climax of the Asian Champions Trophy, the Indian hockey team is poised to seal their dominance in a high-voltage final against Malaysia on Saturday, August 12. Under the leadership of Harmanpreet Singh, the Indian contingent has exhibited an unbeaten streak, painting a picture of dominance and skill.&nbsp;Their prowess was evident in a staggering 5-0 victory over Malaysia during the initial stages of the tournament. The journey to the final saw India celebrate four victories in their five-match stint. However, a hiccup occurred during their bout against Japan, resulting in a 1-1 draw. One looming concern for the team has been the lackluster penalty corner conversion rate. This was evident against Japan, where only one out of 15 penalty corners found its mark. The pattern persisted against Malaysia, with a mere two conversions out of ten attempts. Despite these challenges, Chief Coach Craig Fulton exudes confidence. He recognizes the temporary setbacks in set pieces and is optimistic about their resolution. He took pride in the team's adeptness in field play goals and believes that the corner conversion rate is bound to progress.&nbsp;Post their clash with Japan, India displayed significant improvement, vindicated by a 5-0 victory over the reigning Asian Games champions in the semi-final. Malaysia's journey to the final has been equally commendable. They etched their place by decimating defending champions South Korea with a 6-2 scoreline. Even with their earlier defeat to India, Malaysia's spirits remain high, hoping for a turnaround in the final. The historical face-off between these two teams since 2011 tilts in favor of India, with 11 victories out of 15 clashes. Nonetheless, Malaysia has had its moments, registering two wins and two draws against India.&nbsp;With the final just around the corner, anticipation is palpable. India, already three-time champions, is eager to add another feather to their cap. Key players like Harmanpreet Singh are crucial for India's front line, while Malaysia's hopes rest on stalwarts like Shello Silverius and Firhan Ashari.&nbsp;Beyond the final, the Asian Champions Trophy serves as a preparatory platform for the teams ahead of the Asian Games 2023. With formidable opponents like Pakistan and Japan in the fray, India aims to harness the momentum garnered from their current performance.&nbsp;MORE ON SPORTS TAK:<a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/hockey-news/asian-champions-trophy-2023-harmanpreet-singh-lauds-coach-fulton-impact-ahead-of-final-thriller-against-malaysia">Asian Champions Trophy 2023: Skipper Harmanpreet Singh lauds coach Fulton's impact ahead of final thriller against Malaysia</a> <a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/hockey-news/asian-champions-trophy-india-outplay-japan-5-0-pr-sreejesh-300th-international-game-advance-to-final">Asian Champions Trophy: India outplay Japan 5-0 in PR Sreejesh's 300th international game to advance to final</a> <a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/hockey-news/asian-champions-trophy-2023-malaysia-bulldoze-south-korea-to-storm-into-final">Asian Champions Trophy 2023: Malaysia bulldoze defending champions South Korea to storm into final</a>

Gearing up for the climax of the Asian Champions Trophy, the Indian hockey team is poised to seal their dominance in a high-voltage final against Malaysia on Saturday, August 12.

Asian Champions Trophy 2023: Harmanpreet's India look to sign off with title glory in grand finale against Malaysia

In a comeback to remember for ages, India beat Malaysia 4-3 to win the Asian Champions Trophy for the fourth time. Trailing 1-3 in the third quarter, India caught Malaysia napping and netted two goals in a single minute to make an epic comeback in Chennai.&nbsp;The match started with Malaysia setting an aggressive tone, putting the Indians on the back foot. However, India broke the deadlock in the 9th minute when Jugraj unleashed a powerful flick in a penalty conversion, outfoxing the Malaysian goalkeeper.&nbsp;But Malaysia quickly regrouped and consistently challenged India's defence. Their persistence paid off in the 14th minute, with Azari scoring, assisted by Azuan Hasan's precise pass.&nbsp;The first quarter's end saw India squandering two penalty corner opportunities. The second quarter wasn't kind to the home team either. Rahim capitalized on a penalty corner in the 18th minute, thanks to a deflection from India's Amit Rohidas. By the 28th minute, Malaysia had extended their lead to 3-1 with Aminudin's successful penalty corner conversion.&nbsp;Post half-time, India looked desperate to level the scores but struggled with conversions. Their efforts to gain penalty corners either missed the mark or were denied by vigilant Malaysian defenders.&nbsp;However, a turning point came in the 45th minute. India's captain, Harmanpreet, swiftly converted a penalty stroke, followed almost immediately by Gurjant's field goal, leveling the game at 3-3.&nbsp;The climax was a nail-biter. India earned several penalty corners in the dying minutes, with Harmanpreet missing narrowly on two occasions. But the breakthrough came from Akashdeep, who fired the winning goal with a crisp slap shot, assisted by Mandeep Singh.&nbsp;As the clock ticked down, India intensified their offensive, forcing the Malaysian goalkeeper into making some exceptional saves.&nbsp;This riveting match showcased India's resilience and Malaysia's tactical prowess, making it a treat for hockey enthusiasts.&nbsp;MORE ON SPORTS TAK:<a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/soccer-news/durand-cup-2023-nandhakumar-sekar-masterstroke-ends-east-bengal-1658-day-wait-to-defeat-mohun-bagan">Durand Cup 2023: Nandhakumar Sekar's masterstroke ends East Bengal's 1658-day wait to defeat Mohun Bagan</a><a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/soccer-news/bukayo-saka-nketiah-help-arsenal-seal-narrow-win-over-nottingham-forest-to-kick-of-epl-2023-in-style">Bukayo Saka, Nketiah help Arsenal seal narrow win over Nottingham Forest to kick of EPL 2023 in style</a> <a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/soccer-news/pep-guardiola-engages-in-heated-exchange-with-haaland-despite-manchester-city-triumph-burnley">Watch: Pep Guardiola engages in heated exchange with Haaland despite Man City's triumph, pushes broadcast camera in anger</a>

In a comeback to remember for ages, India beat Malaysia 4-3 to win the Asian Champions Trophy for the fourth time.

India snatch victory from Malaysia with two goals in one minute to win Asian Champions Trophy for 4th time

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