Asiad gold medallists Japan take on Malaysia in opener today

Defending champions India start their campaign against hosts Oman

LAHORE: Big-time hockey rolls into action in Muscat, Oman on Thursday (today) when the Asian Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament begins with a clash between Asian Games 2018 gold medallists Japan and Malaysia. The opening game will be a replay of the thrilling Asian Games title encounter in Jakarta which saw Japan stage a remarkable rally to clinch their first gold medal. Leading Asian hockey nations – India, Pakistan, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and hosts Oman – will be competing in the biennial Asian Champions Trophy at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex from October 18 to 28. Defending champions India will take on home side Oman in the other fixture of the opening day. The Asian Champions Trophy is the biggest hockey event staged in the Sultanate of Oman, which has a century-old hockey tradition with earliest memories of playing against visiting British Naval ships that anchored in Muscat.