Rajgir, August 24 (HS): The Japanese men’s hockey team touched down in Rajgir late Saturday night to participate in the prestigious Hero Asia Cup 2025. Although Japan has reached fourth place on five occasions in the tournament’s history, the team is yet to secure a podium finish.
Currently ranked 18th in the FIH World Rankings, Japan has been drawn in Pool A alongside hosts India, China, and Kazakhstan. Their campaign will kick off on August 29 against Kazakhstan, followed by a highly anticipated clash with India on August 31. They will play their final Pool A fixture against China on September 1.
In a statement released by Hockey India on Sunday, Japan captain Raiki Fujishima expressed the team’s excitement about competing in Rajgir for the first time.
“Our primary goal is to win the Asia Cup and qualify for the 2026 World Cup. We are fully committed to giving our best and showcasing top-quality hockey throughout the tournament,” he said.
Acknowledging the challenge ahead, Fujishima added, “There is no doubt the toughest contest will be against India. They are the highest-ranked team in the competition and will have the advantage of home support. But we trust our abilities and are confident of breaking into the podium this time.”
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
