The Indian men's hockey team are placed atop the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 points table, following a 3-0 victory over hosts China on the tournament's opening day on Sunday (September 8).
India has three points and a goal difference of three, scoring three goals and conceding none. Meanwhile, China are languishing at the bottom (sixth) with a goal difference of -3.
Japan and South Korea are second and third, respectively, playing out a 5-5 draw in the season opener. Malaysia and Pakistan are placed fourth and fifth, following a 2-2 draw on Sunday.
Asian Champions Trophy 2024: India thrash hosts China; Malaysia vs Pakistan and Japan vs South Korea end in draws
India blanked hosts China 3-0 in their opening encounter of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 on Sunday (September 8). Sukhjeet Singh, Uttam Singh, and Abhishek scored a goal each to guide the defending champions to a comfortable victory against China.
Earlier in the day, Korea came from behind to force Japan into a 5-5 draw in the tournament's season opener. Naru Kimura and Jihun Yang scored a goal each for Japan and Korea, respectively, in the first quarter.
Kazumasa Matsumoto and Yuki Chiba found the back of the net for Japan to help the side take a 3-1 lead at half-time. Korea scored two goals each in the next couple of quarters, while Japan scored only one goal each in the last two quarters.
Riding on the back of Jihun Yang's hat-trick, Korea managed to hold Japan to a 5-5 draw in a 10-goal thriller.
Pakistan took on Malaysia in the second encounter of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024. Sufyan Khan and Zikriya Hayat scored a goal each to hand Pakistan a two-goal lead.
Trailing by two goals for the first 45 minutes, Faizal Saari ended Malaysia's goal drought in the third quarter off a penalty corner. Aiman Rozemi leveled the scores with less than five minutes to go on the clock, converting a much-needed penalty corner for Malaysia.