Hockey Asian Champions Trophy: India face acid test against Paris silver medallists China

Defending champions India will face their sternest test at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy when they take on Olympics silver medallists China in a blockbuster contest here on Saturday.

Both India and China are undefeated in the tournament so far, having registered three wins from as many games. But world No. 6 China lead the points table on account of better goal difference of 21 as against India’s 18. In the last two outings between the two sides, at the FIH Pro League in February, China came out victorious on both occasions. So, Saturday’s match provides a great opportunity for India to settle scores.

India’s chief coach Harendra Singh said that the team needs to maintain its structure as it did against Thailand. “I am happy with the way the team kept its structure and managed to manipulate the opposition and score goals. There was connection between the defenders and attacking midfielders and we need to do the same in the remaining matches,” Harendra said after Thursday’s match.

In other matches of the day, Malaysia will take on Japan while Korea will play Thailand.