Punjab Newsline | Jalandhar
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday formally inaugurated the Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 at the newly constructed Surjit Hockey Stadium in Burlton Park, Jalandhar.
The inauguration marked the commencement of the international hockey tournament in Punjab, bringing the spotlight on Jalandhar’s longstanding association with the sport. The newly constructed stadium at Burlton Park served as the venue for the opening ceremony.
The tournament got off to an exciting start, with Malaysia and Japan registering victories in their respective opening matches.
The opening day witnessed high-intensity hockey, with Malaysia edging past China 5-4 in a nine-goal thriller, while Japan secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over South Korea.
Malaysia Beat China 5-4 in Nine-Goal Thriller
Malaysia began their campaign with a thrilling 5-4 victory over China in a closely contested encounter that kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the final moments.
Both teams displayed attacking hockey, with nine goals scored during the match. Malaysia looked aggressive from the opening minutes and attempted to put China under pressure, but the Chinese players responded with counterattacks to keep the contest evenly balanced.
Malaysia’s Abu Kamal Azrai opened the scoring in the fourth minute, giving his team a 1-0 lead. China responded strongly, with Wang finding the net in the 11th minute to level the score at 1-1.
The contest continued at a high tempo as both sides looked for scoring opportunities. Neither team allowed the opposition to dominate for long, resulting in an entertaining battle. Malaysia eventually held their nerve to secure a narrow 5-4 win and begin their tournament campaign on a winning note.
Japan Edge South Korea 3-2
In the second match of the day, Japan defeated South Korea 3-2 in another closely fought encounter that remained competitive until the closing stages.
Japan took the lead in the 14th minute when Kentaro Fukuda scored a field goal to make it 1-0. South Korea responded almost immediately, with Han Sang-jun converting a penalty corner in the 15th minute to bring the score to 1-1.
Both teams remained level until half-time, with neither managing to establish a decisive advantage in the first half.
Japan stepped up their attacking efforts in the third quarter, and Ryoma Oka scored a field goal in the 36th minute to restore Japan’s lead at 2-1.
Japan strengthened their position in the fourth quarter when Kazumasa Matsumoto found the net in the 52nd minute, extending the lead to 3-1. South Korea continued to fight back, but Japan held on to claim a 3-2 victory.
