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Malaysia, China, Korea and Oman make up Pool B. The newly titled Hero Asia Cup, featuring eight top hockey countries from Asia, will conclude on October 22 with all the matches scheduled to be played in Dhaka’s Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium. The champion will get direct entry to the World Cup, which is slated for Bhubaneswar, India in November, 2018.Bangladesh however, have no such target of finishing in the top four. The last time Bangladesh hosted the Asia Cup was back in 1985. It was the second edition of the tournament, after its introduction in 1982. Pakistan won the first three editions in 1982, 1985 and 1989 while Korea won four times in 1993, 1999, 2009 and 2013. India won twice in 2003 and 2007.
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Among the 10 participating teams, India are currently the top ranked side – sixth - the latest Federation of International Hockey ranking while Malaysia, holder Korea and Pakistan are placed 12th, 13th and 14th respectively. During a press conference at a hotel in the capital, the CEO of AHF, Tayyab Ikram said, “The day I took office of AHF CEO it was my dream to bring the Asia Cup in Dhaka. I always believed Bangladesh have all the ingredients of a top hockey nation and the floodlit Asia Cup is all set to open new doors.”
He continued, “I would like to declare that Bangladesh is in the top target assistance list of the AHF.” Bangladesh Hockey Federation president, Air Chief Marshal Abu Esrar said, “Bangladesh government, headed by the sports loving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has allocated a purse of $2.25m for the renovation and upgradation of the venue, we are confident of putting up a good show.”Bangladesh to host 2017 #AsiaCup hockey; arch-rivals India and Pakistan in same grouphttps://t.co/typjLJGVkV pic.twitter.com/jXpgenAL5L
— HT Sports (@HTSportsNews) August 21, 2017
