Chennai, August 7, 2023: The Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2023 continued to deliver intense and gripping hockey action on its fourth day at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium. With three exhilarating matches, fans were treated to a showcase of skill, determination, and drama on the field. Japan faced Malaysia in a clash of chances, Pakistan secured a hard-fought victory against China, and India triumphed in a close encounter against Korea.

PAKISTAN 2 VS CHINA 1

Pakistan managed a feat it had failed to so far in the Hero Asian Champions Trophy - hold on to a lead - as it got past China 2-1 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium here on Monday.

The young forward line of Abdul Rana, Abdul Hannan and Afraz kept the Chinese defence on its heels with dribbling and pace. Muhammad Ammad and Ahtisham Aslam joined from defence to create overloads on both wings.

But the moves were sparks of brilliance followed by a lack of composure - the combination that has undone Pakistan’s hard work throughout the tournament.

Hannan took several shots at goal, but most were reckless jabs at goal rather than measured takes.

Pakistan set the tone in the first minute when Rana stole the ball off a defender in the China circle.

Two short corners also came Pakistan’s way, but China kept level with Abdul Rehman firing the first one straight at Caiyu Wang, and Muhammad Sufyan Khan getting closed by the first rusher.

Sufyan delivered on the second asking, disturbing the net with a rocket drag flick in the 19th minute. Pakistan almost got its second two minutes later when Zikriya Hayat zoomed through the China half and entered the circle. He set up Rehman one-on-one against Wang, but the latter prevailed.

All China had to show for its attacking ventures in the first half was three circle entries. But the side earned a penalty corner three minutes into the second half when Pakistan had nine outfield players due to a yellow card to Aslam. Jiesheng Gao parked his drag between the keeper and postman Arshad Liaqat to even the contest.

The Green Shirts got their lead back in the 39th minute with a close-knit move in the circle. Captain Umar Bhutta passed to Rana at the left edge whose reverse stick swipe found Afraz unmarked at the far post.

Akmal Hussain played a part in Pakistan keeping the lead with his denials on Weibai Ao and Benhai Chen.

Pakistan held through in the final period, but it was not without a pinch of nerves. First, Gao slapped a pass into the circle from the right that should have been buried into the goal at the far post. Then, one minute from the final hooter, Zixiang Guo was offered space in the circle. His cutback was met with a clean interception, and Pakistan heaved a sigh of relief.

The HERO of the Match this time was shirt #8 RANA Abdul, while the DAFA Young Player was #9 SHAHID Abdul from the Pakistan national team.

China will play their next match against Japan to try to get more points in the table, while Pakistan will face the first in the table and home of this tournament, India.

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.

For media queries to Hero MotoCorp Ltd:

Press Contact: corporate.communication@heromotocorp.com

Website: www.heromotocorp.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HeroMotoCorpIndia

Twitter: www.twitter.com@HeroMotoCorp

Instagram: www.instagram.com/HeroMotoCorp

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.

For further information about the AHF, please visit us at:

Email: communications@asiahockey.org

Website: www.asiahockey.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/asiahockey

X (Twitter): www.twitter.com/asia_hockey

Instagram: www.instagram.com/asiahockey