19 September 2023
Chasing Glory: Indian Men’s Hockey Squad Sets Sail for Asian Games Adventure
In an exhilarating turn of events, the Indian men’s hockey team has embarked on their journey to Hangzhou for the highly anticipated 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022. The team is brimming with enthusiasm as they prepare to kick-start their campaign with a fiery clash against Uzbekistan on September 24th. With a place in Pool A alongside powerhouses like Pakistan, Japan, Bangladesh, Singapore, and Uzbekistan, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Meanwhile, Pool B sets the stage for intense battles between Korea, Malaysia, China, Oman, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Leading the charge is the indomitable Harmanpreet Singh, the defensive stalwart, who resumes his role as captain, with the dynamic Hardik by his side as deputy. Captain Harmanpreet Singh exuded confidence, stating, “The team’s relentless preparation for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, coupled with our stellar performance at the recent Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023, fuels our ambition to sustain this level of excellence. While our Pool presents formidable adversaries, our unwavering confidence in our preparations fuels our aspirations of securing a coveted podium finish.”
The team roster is nothing short of formidable, with the experienced PR Sreejesh and Krishan Pathak guarding the goalposts. The defensive line boasts talents like Varun Kumar, Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, and Sanjay. In the midfield, the team finds its strength in players like Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Sumit, and Shamsher Singh. The forward line, charged with the goal of putting points on the board, will be spearheaded by Abhishek, Gurjant Singh, Mandeep Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay.
Vice-Captain Hardik Singh, radiating optimism, shared, “Our rigorous training sessions in the lead-up to the Tournament have forged a united and determined team. We stand in peak mental and physical condition as we set off for Hangzhou, eagerly anticipating the fierce competition in our group. Our mission is clear – to uphold the standard of performance we’ve consistently demonstrated in recent months and return from China adorned with a well-deserved medal.”
Now, let’s dive into the exciting schedule for the Indian Men’s Hockey Team:
Match Schedule:
- September 24th, 2023: India Vs Uzbekistan at 08:45 hrs IST Key Stat: India’s historical record against Uzbekistan – Win: 3 | Loss: 0 | Draw: 1
- September 26th, 2023: India Vs Singapore at 06:30 hrs IST Key Stat: India’s track record against Singapore – Win: 5 | Loss: 2 | Draw: 1
- September 28th, 2023: India Vs Japan at 18:15 hrs IST Key Stat: India’s head-to-head stats against Japan – Win: 8 | Loss: 4 | Draw: 3
- September 30th, 2023: India Vs Pakistan at 18:15 hrs IST Key Stat: India’s historic rivalry with Pakistan – Win: 32 | Loss: 26 | Draw: 21
- October 2nd, 2023: India Vs Bangladesh at 13:15 hrs IST Key Stat: India’s past encounters with Bangladesh – Win: 7 | Loss: 0 | Draw: 2
Hockey enthusiasts won’t want to miss these thrilling encounters, all set to be broadcasted live on Sony Sports Network. Stay tuned for the latest updates, remarkable plays, and nail-biting moments as the Indian Men’s Hockey Team embarks on their quest for glory at the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022