The 2018 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy was a spectacle of high-paced hockey action, bringing together the best teams from Asia to battle for supremacy. The tournament was held from October 18 to October 28, 2018, at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat, Oman. This was the fifth edition of the prestigious tournament, featuring India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and host nation Oman. The tournament saw some electrifying performances, breathtaking goals, and intense rivalries, making it a must-watch for every hockey enthusiast.
India’s Journey Through the Tournament
India vs. Oman – Result: India won 11-0
India began their title defense in spectacular fashion with a crushing 11-0 victory over Oman. The match started with India testing the Omani defense early, but the hosts held firm in the first quarter. However, the floodgates opened in the second quarter as Lalit Upadhyay broke the deadlock in the 17th minute.
From there, India dominated possession, with Harmanpreet Singh (22’), Nilakanta Sharma (23’), and Mandeep Singh (30’) adding to the tally before halftime. Young striker Dilpreet Singh stole the show in the second half, scoring a brilliant hat-trick with goals in the 41st, 55th, and 57th minute. Gurjant Singh (37’), Akashdeep Singh (27’), Varun Kumar (49’), and Chinglensana Singh (53’) also found the net as India overpowered Oman completely.
India vs. Pakistan – Result: India won 3-1
The highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan clash lived up to its hype. Pakistan started aggressively and took an early lead through Mohammad Irfan Jr., putting India on the back foot. However, India responded in style as Manpreet Singh scored the equalizer in the second quarter.
Mandeep Singh then produced a moment of brilliance, flicking the ball past the Pakistani goalkeeper to give India the lead. The match remained tense, but in the 42nd minute, Lalit Upadhyay set up Dilpreet Singh, who calmly slotted the ball home, securing a 3-1 victory for India.
India vs. Japan – Result: India won 9-0
Riding high on confidence, India put on another goal-fest, thrashing Japan 9-0. The match started with Mandeep Singh scoring in the 4th minute, followed by goals from Gurjant Singh (8’), Harmanpreet Singh (17’, 21’), Akashdeep Singh (36’), Sumit (42’), and Lalit Upadhyay (45’). Mandeep completed his hat-trick in the 49th and 57th minute, as India dominated all four quarters, showing why they were tournament favorites.
India vs. Malaysia – Result: Draw 0-0
In their toughest group-stage match, India faced a resilient Malaysian defense. Despite multiple attacks and several penalty corners, India could not break through. The match ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw, with Malaysia successfully holding off India’s relentless attacking force.
India vs. South Korea – Result: India won 4-1
India bounced back with a 4-1 win over South Korea. The match saw Chinglensana Singh, Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, and Gurjant Singh scored crucial goals, while Korea managed only one in return. This victory ensured India’s smooth passage to the semifinals.
Semifinal Showdown – India vs. Japan (Result: India won 3-2)
The semifinal was an edge-of-the-seat thriller, with Japan putting up a tough fight. India took the lead in the 19th minute through Gurjant Singh, but Japan quickly equalized through Wakuri. The match remained tense until Chinglensana Singh scored from a penalty corner in the 44th minute, restoring India’s lead.
With five minutes remaining, Dilpreet Singh extended the advantage to 3-1, but Japan struck back immediately with a penalty corner goal. In the final moments, India defended bravely, securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory and a place in the final against Pakistan.
Final – India vs. Pakistan (Match Abandoned, Joint Winners Declared)
The final between India and Pakistan was eagerly awaited, promising an intense battle between the arch-rivals. However, just as the teams prepared for the clash, heavy rain poured down on the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, making play impossible. Despite efforts to restart the match, the weather conditions did not improve, forcing officials to declare both teams as joint winners.
Final Standings and Team Performances
India remained undefeated throughout the tournament, showcasing brilliant attacking play and solid defense. Their joint triumph with Pakistan marked their third Asian Champions Trophy title, having previously won in 2011 and 2016.
Malaysia secured third place, finishing behind the joint champions. Japan and South Korea displayed competitive performances but fell short of making it to the final. Oman, despite being the hosts, struggled against the top-ranked teams and finished at the bottom of the table.
Conclusion
The 2018 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy was a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with thrilling encounters, exceptional individual performances, and intense rivalries. India showcased their dominance and consistency, proving why they are a force to be reckoned with in Asian hockey.
While the final’s abandonment was disappointing, the tournament still provided hockey fans with plenty of unforgettable moments. With this victory, India reaffirmed their status as one of Asia’s hockey powerhouses, and fans eagerly await the next edition of the tournament for another round of exciting hockey action.
