With the calendar year on the brink of an end, the hockey season could not be more active. And with that said, we are about to commence with the Women’s Champions Trophy that has its hype built up for all the right reasons. Six of the best women sides from across the world are scheduled to meet in Changzhou, China for the 23rd edition of the Champions Trophy. In addition to China and Japan, the other sides participating are Argentina, Australia, Great Britain and the Netherlands.
With two of the top Asian sides up against the heavyweights of the world, both China and Japan would be eager to put up a stellar show, having recently had a fruitful Asian Games campaign in August. China claimed the Bronze medal in the 18th Asian Games, as they won their Bronze match Play-Off against Korea by 2 goals to 1. China starred via their #2 Drag-Flick specialists Bingfeng Gu, who scored 13 goals in the entirety of the tournament; 10 of which came through Penalty Corners. Gu ended up the Top-Scorer in the Women’s Event of Hockey during the Asian Games 2018. With many top quality players such as Gu a part of the China Team, some big expectations would be kept from the side Silver Olympic medalists at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Team Japan has had an excellent 2018, as is seconded by their spectacular series of performances at mega events, against World Class opposition. With the Asian Games, Japan’s approach was clinical, sublime and incredibly effective. Japan beat India in the final by 2 goals to 1, and secured Gold Medals, closing one of their more historic performances. #10 Hazuki Nagai was exceptional for the Japanese side as she scored 7 goals in the tournament. Japan’s performance momentum was carried forward in the 4 Nation SOMPO Cup as well, held in Osaka, Japan, where they won the tournament putting up an excellent performance against Australia, United States and pacific-neighbors Korea.
The Champions Trophy will mark the 23rd edition of its kind, and is keeping the fans and the teams on edge. We begin the Champions Trophy with a few days, as teams are to head to China very soon for the event.
