India take on Pakistan in last tango at Champions Trophy

Breda (Netherlands), June 22 

The Indian hockey team would begin its pursuit of a maiden Champions Trophy title, taking on arch-rivals Pakistan in the opening clash tomorrow. Asian champions India have never won the Champions Trophy in its last 36 editions but will be hoping to claim the feat in the tournament’s last edition.

The best India have fared in the tournament was the runners-up finish at the 2016 event in London, losing to Australia in a shootout. India come into the tournament on the back of a disastrous campaign at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, where they finished fourth.

The world’s best six teams compete in the Champions Trophy and this year’s line-up include reigning Olympics champions Argentina, world No. 1 Australia, Belgium, hosts Netherlands, Pakistan and India. India will open against Pakistan before taking on Argentina (June 24), Australia (June 27), Belgium (June 28) and the Netherlands (June 30). Even though India (sixth) are way ahead of Pakistan (13th) in the world rankings, there is hardly any gap between the two teams when it comes to the head-to-head contests.

Over the past one year, India have enjoyed convincing victories over Pakistan right from the final of the Asian Champions Trophy in 2016 followed by a dominant double victory in the Hockey World League Semifinals in London 2017 and the Asia Cup in Dhaka where India won the title after 10 years. But under former India coach and High Performance Manager Roelant Oltmans, Pakistan surprised India by scoring a late equaliser to earn a draw in the Commonwealth Games this year. For India coach Harendra Singh, who took over coaching of the senior men’s team for the third time following his last stint in 2009, it will be his first real test ahead of the Asian Games and World Cup in Bhubaneswar later this year. In other matches, the Netherlands will play Argentina, while Australia will take on Belgium. — PTI

Last champions trophy

Launched in 1978, this year’s Champions Trophy, 37th overall, will be the last edition of the tournament. FIH has announced a new hockey structure from 2019 onwards.

India’s poor record: Never champs, best 2nd in 2016

India have played in the event 15 times, and their best result was runners-up, in 2016. India finished third once, fourth 7 times, fifth 3 times, and sixth 3 times

India’s record

• 2nd: 2016
• 3rd: 1982
• 4th: 1983, 1996, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2012, 2014
• 5th: 1980, 1986, 1995
• 6th: 1985, 1989, 2005

Australia on top

• Winners: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1999, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016
• 2nd: 10 times 
• 3rd: 4 times

India matches

• June 22 vs Pakistan 
• June 24 vs Argentina 
• June 27 vs Australia 
• June 28 vs Belgium 
• June 30 vs Netherlands