New Delhi: The Kazakhstan men’s hockey team is thrilled to land in India ahead of their first appearance at the Asia Cup after 31 years. Kazakhstan last appeared in the continental showpiece way back in 1994 and on Tuesday night, they made their maiden appearance on the Indian soil.
The Asia Cup 2025 hockey tournament will be held in Rajgir, Bihar from August 29 to September 7. August 29 happens to be a special day as in India, National Sports Day is celebrated every years to commemorate the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
Kazakhstan in Pool A
Meanwhile, led by Yerkebulan Dyussebekov, the team looked all geared up and hopeful for a strong performance after their last outing at Asia Cup outing in Hiroshima in 1994 ended in a fifth-place finish. In the same year, the side also secured a sixth-place finish at the Asian Games. Kazakhstan is currently ranked 81st in the FIH World Rankings and they have been kept in Pool A, which features hosts India, Japan and China.
The team will open their campaign against strong opposition Japan on August 29 which would be followed by a clash against China on August 31. Kazakhstan will wrap up the group stage with a contest against India on September 1.
‘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,’ Dyussebekov was quoted as saying by Hockey India in a press release.
‘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,’ he added.
He also said that being in the same group as India, Japan and China is a tough challenge but they see this as an opportunity and chance to test themselves.