As India and China engaged in a tense battle for the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) trophy, the Pakistan Hockey team sparked a major controversy as visuals showed their squad holding the Chinese flag during the final on Tuesday (September 17)..
As the Asian giants played a end-to-end match with little margin for error, fans were left shocked as the cameras panned towards the Pakistan squad and their players were seen with the flag of the host nation at the Moqi Hockey training b. The incident has occureed just minutes after the Men in Green defeated South Korea to secure a third-place finish with a 5-2 victory.
As soon as the visuals were shown on TV during the live coverage of the India-China clash, social media was quick to notice the incident. The three-time Olympic champions were criticized on social media for their actions during the summit clash.
See Reactions
Sorry is that Pakistan Squad Holding a flag of China 🇨🇳 #Hockeypic.twitter.com/yLV5oEO0FR
— IndiaSportsHub (@IndiaSportsHub) September 17, 2024
Is this a compulsion or a desire buried in the heart? Support of China despite being Pakistani. Well, what else could be expected from Pakistan.India doesn't care, #India is once again becoming the #Champions of the Champions Trophy, you remain happy with the #Chinese flag pic.twitter.com/6CenHpldfA
— Anil Bansal (@dilseanilbansal) September 17, 2024
Pakistan hockey team supports China in AFC Asian Champions Trophy finalChina is playing against India#HockeyIndia#India#Hockey#Pakistanpic.twitter.com/PTWCSKFobq
— Thakur Divya Prakash (@Divyaprakas8) September 17, 2024
India thrashed China in China to win Hockey Asian Champions Trophy for a record 5th time.Pakistan in state of mourning. pic.twitter.com/l9fjwlwjH0
— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) September 17, 2024
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Why are Pakistan not playing the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 Final?
The irony of the incident comes from the fact that Pakistan failed to reach the final after losing the semi-final to China. The one-time Olympic Gold medalist were defeated by the home team in a nervy penalty shootout in which they had a forgettable show as they failed to even convert one of their four attempts.
This is the first time in history that China reached the final of the competition having previously never finished higher than fourth place.
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India Win Asian Champions Trophy 2024 Title
The Indian Hockey Team won the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy title after beating China 1-0 in a tense final. A late goal from Jugraj Singh in the fourth quarter proved to the difference between the two sides.
India have won the title for the fifth time and extended their record as the most successful team in the competition's history. Pakistan have lifted the trophy thrice while South Korea won their sole title in 2021.