Rajgir, Aug 27 (PTI) — The Kazakhstan men's hockey team has arrived in India for the Asia Cup set to begin on August 29, marking their return to the continental event after a long hiatus since 1994. On Tuesday night, the team, captained by Yerkebulan Dyussebekov, made their first-ever appearance on Indian soil. Kazakhstan's last showing at the 1994 Asia Cup in Hiroshima resulted in a respectable fifth-place finish. That same year, they also secured sixth place at the Asian Games.
Ranked 81st in the FIH World Rankings, Kazakhstan finds itself in Pool A, facing a challenging lineup that includes hosts India, Japan, and China. They are scheduled to kick off their campaign against Japan on August 29, followed by a showdown with China on August 31. Their group stage will conclude with an eagerly anticipated encounter against India on September 1.
Expressing excitement, Dyussebekov remarked, "We are extremely excited to be here in India for the very first time. This country is known as the heartland of hockey, and for us to play in such an atmosphere is a very special opportunity." He further elaborated on the team’s preparation, saying, "We have a very young team, and over the past few months our preparation has been about giving these players confidence and exposure at the highest level. The energy and enthusiasm in the group is fantastic, and we are eager to learn and grow with every match."
Commenting on the formidable challenge in Pool A, Dyussebekov acknowledged, "Being placed in a group with India, Japan, and China will be a tough challenge, but we see this as a great chance to test ourselves against some of the best teams in Asia. Our aim is to fight hard, play with discipline, and make Kazakhstan proud on this big stage."
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