Continental test for India as Hangzhou Asiad approaches

Craig Fulton had set his priorities the moment he joined the Indian hockey setup in April. "My immediate goal is to be No.1 in Asia," the chief coach had said.

- Sandip Sikdar

Fulton and his team will be out to test themselves and achieve their target at the Asian Champions Trophy starting in Chennai on Thursday. The last event before the Hangzhou Asian Games will see India face China, Asian Games champions Japan, Malaysia, holders South Korea and rivals Pakistan, all of whom Harmanpreet Singh and Co will face in China.

Some teams have complained about scheduling the six-team event close to the Asian Games (Sept 23-Oct 8), but Fulton is glad India will get exposure, despite having landed from the tour of Spain only on Monday.

"It is great that we are getting to play these matches ahead of the Asian Games. It gives us an ideal platform to study the other teams and see how players excel in the roles assigned. We had some very good matches in Spain and a good training block before that in Bengaluru," the South African said.