Chennai, August 09, 2023: The Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2023, an apex gathering of hockey prowess in the Asian continent, marked its fifth day of riveting competition at the iconic Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai. As the sun set on the horizon, the field illuminated with action, intensity, and a display of hockey excellence that left fans on the edge of their seats. The stage was set for a captivating triple-header, with three matches shaping the narrative of this premier tournament:

In a high-stakes match, Japan showcased resilience and determination, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over China. Shota Yamada and Kentaro Fukuda's goals propelled Japan to its first win of the tournament, igniting hopes of progression to the next stage.

Despite China's spirited efforts, a late goal conceded prevented them from securing a place in the top four. Japan's triumph drew them level on points with South Korea and Pakistan, but an inferior goal difference placed them outside the semi-final zone. Japan's fate now rests on the outcomes of subsequent matches, with a glimmer of hope for advancement.

Japan's dominance was evident in their possession play, yet China's counter-attacks lacked the clinical edge required to reverse the pressure. Amidst misplaced passes and end-to-end action, both teams battled for control, resulting in a contest fraught with intensity but lacking the desired quality.

In a momentous turn, Japan's Yamada found the net with a precise drag flick, giving his team a crucial lead. While Japan's defensive rock Yamato Kawahara thwarted Chinese advances, Japan extended their lead through Fukuda's well-timed strike from a penalty corner.

China, refusing to relent, managed to breach Japan's defense with a goal from Ao Suozhu. However, the clock ran out, sealing Japan's 2-1 victory. The battle may be won, but the war for a semi-final berth continues as Japan sets its sights on facing India, while China readies itself for a clash against Pakistan in the 5/6th place encounter.

The match's HERO, YAMASHITA Manabu No. 13 of Japan, shone bright with his impactful performance. The Young Player of the Match, NAGAYOSHI Ken no 15, added to Japan's accolades, showcasing a promising future for the team.

Semi-Finals Showdown and 5th/6th Place Battle Await on 6th Action Day of Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2023

On the 6th action-packed day of the event, scheduled for August 11th, the Hero Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai will witness a line-up of thrilling matches. The battle for the 5th/6th place in the tournament will unfold as Pakistan takes on China. Meanwhile, the highly anticipated semi-finals are set to deliver intense hockey action, with Malaysia facing off against Korea in the first semi-final, while the second semi-final will feature a showdown between powerhouses India and Japan. As the tournament reaches its decisive stages, fans can expect a captivating display of skill, determination, and sportsmanship on the field.

About Hero MotoCorp Limited

The New Delhi (India) headquartered Hero MotoCorp Ltd. is the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, in terms of unit volumes sold by a single company in a year — the coveted position it has held for the past 20 consecutive years. The Company has sold over 100 million motorcycles and scooters in cumulative sales since its inception. Hero MotoCorp currently sells its products in more than 43 countries across Asia, Africa, Middle East, and Latin America. Hero MotoCorp has eight state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, including six in India, and one each in Colombia and Bangladesh. It has two world-class, state-of-the-art R&D facilities — the Centre of Innovation and Technology (CIT) in India and Tech Centre Germany (TCG) near Munich. Hero MotoCorp is the exclusive distributor of Harley-Davidson in India. Hero MotoCorp is one of the largest corporate promoters of multiple disciplines of sports, including, Golf, Football, Field Hockey, Cricket and Motorsports. Fifteen-time Major winner Tiger Woods is Hero’s Global Corporate Partner.

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About the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF)

The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) is the governing body for the sport of hockey in Asia, recognized by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). Founded in 1958, the AHF today has 33 Member National Associations and organizes and sanctions more than twenty types of continental and regional events across all levels and age groups as well as overseeing the hockey competitions in several multi-sport events such as the Asian Games.

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