India surge back to beat Malaysia 4-3 for record fourth Asian Hockey Champions Trophy title 2023

Chennai: Having struggled to make a mark in the event so far, seasoned forward Akashdeep Singh scored when it mattered as India fought back brilliantly from a two-goal deficit to beat Malaysia 4-3 in a high-octane final to bag the Asian Champions Trophy title for a record-breaking fourth time here on Saturday.

This is India's fourth title in the event as they broke the record of three titles (two outright and one shared) with archrivals Pakistan, becoming the most successful team in the event. India had previously won the title in the inaugural year in 2011 and then in 2016. In 2018, they had shared the title with Pakistan in Muscat, Oman as the match was rained off.

However, on Saturday, the hosts looked in trouble for some time before they fought back to seal a memorable victory, which is a big boost to the team's morale ahead of the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Jugraj Singh (9'), Harmanpreet Singh (45'), Gurjant Singh (45') and Akashdeep Singh (56') scored in India's victory. For Malaysia, Abu Kamal Azrai (14'), Razie Rahim (18') and Aminudin Muhamad (28') scored to keep them in the title hunt.

India leads over Pakistan having won the most titles of men’s Asian hockey Champions Trophy Four times. South Korea are the most successful women’s Asian hockey team with three titles.

Hockey Asian Champions Trophy winners list: The Asian Hockey Champions Trophy debuted in 2011 and was held annually from that year till 2013. After a brief break in 2014 and 2015. The tournament resumed in 2016 and has since been held in 2021 and 2023.

Who has won the most Asian hockey Champions Trophy titles?

India has surpassed the Pakistan as the most successful side, having wonthe Asian Hockey title record Four times. The two nations, PAK-IND also shared the trophy once as the final was washed out due to rain. South Korea is the only other team to have lifted the ACT title, having won the tournament in 2021.

Pakistan also has the most runners up finish along with Japan as both side have ended on the losing the side in the ACT final two times so far. India also has finished runners up once so far.

Men’s hockey Asian Champions Trophy winners and runner-up list from 2011-2024

Year — Host City— Winner — Runner-Up

2011 Ordos, China — India — Pakistan

2012 Doha Qatar — Pakistan — India

2013 Kakamigahara Japan — Pakistan — Japan

2016 Kuantan Malaysia — India — Pakistan

2018 Muscat Oman — India and Pakistan (joint winners)

2021 Dhaka Bangladesh — South Korea — Japan

2023 Chennai, India — India 4—3 Malaysia —

Women’s Asian hockey Champions Trophy winners and runner-up list from 2010-2023

The women’s Asian Champions Trophy, on the other hand, has been dominated by South Korea, who have won thrice.

After winning the inaugural edition, South Korea defended the title in 2011 and won it again in 2018.

The Indian women’s hockey team has reached the final thrice but could win only in 2016. Japan are the only other team to have won the women’s title.

Year — Winner — Runner-Up

2010 — South Korea — Japan

2011 — South Korea — China

2013 — Japan — India

2016 — India — China

2018 — South Korea — India

2021 — Japan — South Korea

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