Rajgir: India captain Harmanpreet Singh took a shot during a Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025 match between India and China in Rajgir, Bihar. (PTI Photo/Swapan Mahapatra)

Rajgir: The Indian men’s hockey team could be the seventh rank team in the world and the number 1 in Asia, but they were quite scared by the Chinese side in their Asia Cup opener at Rajgir Sports Complex here on Friday.There was so much dominance by the Chinese players that the Indian side failed to hold its hold on many occasions. They made errors, failed to keep their structures and their defenders left the balls easily, causing China to win several six penalty corners and replaced three of them.It was quite supernatural to see that India admitted three PCs that the hosts have always performed well in defending them. And it is one of the major areas that will have to improve the team as they face Japan in their second group game of tournament here on Sunday.Speaking after the match on Friday, Craig Fulton clearly indicated it. Even Amit RohidasOne of the world’s best roshers, was disappointed with the team’s efforts and said, “We failed to take our opportunities. Also, we have to be ready from behind because the one or two balls they got, we made mistakes there and we have to improve them in the upcoming match.”However, it is easy because it was done because, as Fulton said, being the best team in the competition, all other teams will play out of their skin against the hosts.The coach said, “We are going to be their biggest game. So how it will always be. We are the most ranked team and we are favorite. Therefore, every team is going to raise ourselves to play. We have to manage that challenge,” the coach said.India, meanwhile, will take heart from the fact that Harmanpreet Singh saw in a big touch and made a hat -trick in the first match. He is making a kind of comeback after battling injuries during the Pro League Games in Europe along with India. He recalled some PCs and failed to change the penalty stroke against China, but showed his class when he sent the winner to the top-right corner of the net.Hardik Singh was equally good and the way he had associated with Mandeep Singh on some occasions was a pleasure for the eyes. But if India will have to choose their game to maintain scoreboard pressure on its opponents.Apart from his opponents, India’s other challenge will be excessive heat that is making life difficult for most players. It was no different on Saturday as the players continued to struggle. But there was a little rain during the match between Malaysia and South Korea and there is a possibility of scattered showers on Sunday.Meanwhile, Japan is coming to the game after a 7–0 win against Kazakhstan, but in the last five matches against India, he has lost four times. Once only once during the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai, he earned a 1–1 draw and would be happier than happy to get the same result on Sunday.