India will begin the defense of their title at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 against Malaysia.

He Indian women’s hockey team has arrived in Gaya, marking the beginning of the first international hockey tournament held in the state. The Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024 will take place from November 11 to 20 and will feature defending champions India alongside Paris Olympic Games Silver medalist China, as well as Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand, all against the fascinating backdrop of the historic city of Rajgir.”

Led by captain Salima Tete and Vice-Captain Navneet KaurIndia will begin their campaign against Malaysia on November 11, followed by a match against Korea on November 12. After a day’s rest, India will take on Thailand on November 14. On November 16, India will challenge Paris Olympic silver medalist China and conclude the group stage with a match against Japan on November 17.

“We have been training rigorously at SAI Bengaluru for the Asian Champions Trophy. In previous matches, we faced challenges in the final third of the pitch, so we have focused significantly on improving in that area. We will go game by game and try to do well in each one; Each team poses a different challenge and we will not take any opponent lightly.

This is the first time we are playing international hockey in Bihar and we hope to inspire all the girls in the region with our performances. We have prepared well and we are confident that our hard work will be reflected on the pitch,” shared captain Salima Tete upon her arrival.

Also read: ‘Ready to defend our title’: Indian captain Salima Tete confident about Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024

India must secure a top-four finish among the six teams to advance to the semi-finals on November 19. The winners will advance to the final, scheduled for November 20. This tournament marks the Indian women’s hockey team’s first Asian competition under head coach Harendra Singh, who took charge earlier this year.

“For the first time, international matches will be held in Bihar in the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy. I would like to thank the Bihar government, Hockey India and all the hockey fans for helping bring international matches to the state. Each team will come with the goal of winning the trophy and we have spent the last five months preparing with the Asian Champions Trophy in mind.

We identified areas for improvement, such as combinations and decision-making in the shooting circle, and have worked on them. I am sure hockey fans will witness a new set of Indian women’s hockey team this time and will not be disappointed,” added head coach Harendra Singh.

India will open their Rajgir 2024 Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy campaign against Malaysia on November 11 at 7:30 pm IST. The Bihar Rajgir Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 will be broadcast on Sony Sports Ten 1 and live on SonyLiv.

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