South Korea and China will be taking on each other in the first match on Sunday (August 6) of the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2023. The Chinese have lost both their matches so far while Korea have won one and drawn one.
It will be a crucial encounter for China as a defeat will eliminate them from the tournament. Korea, on the other hand, know a win will take them to the top of the table. Korea won their first match against Japan 2-1 and then drew 1-1 against Pakistan. China lost their first match 2-7 at the hands of India, and then suffered another loss at the hands of Malaysia.

Dafanews Young Player of the Match: Junjie Liu (China)
Hero of the Match: Lei Meng
There is the Final Hooter. And it is China who get their first point on the board. Korea have been held by China 1-1 and it is a superb result for the Chinese against the defending Champions. Korea manage their second successive draw in the tournament.
A drag flick from second battery comes in but the deflection from Korean attacker is not on target as China survive. Big moment as we are heading towards the end.
Korea win another penalty corner. The ball hits the ankle of Chinese defender and it is an opportunity again for Korea.
China keeper Caiyu Wang makes a crucial save his right feet to deny Korea from the penalty corner. Jang Jong Hyun's vicious strike hasn't found the net and it remains 1-1 in Chennai with just over five minutes to play.
Korea awarded a penalty corner and this will be another huge test for China.
Yellow Card shown to Korean player Seunghoon Lee. He will be out of action for five minutes now and Korea will have to play a man less.
Jung Hoo Kim fails to get a touch as Korea miss a golden chance there. It could have been the goal that they dearly want. It remains 1-1 with just eight minutes to go.
China are exploiting spaces behind Korean defense as the Koreans push for a win. The Chinese are a good team in the counterattack and can get a winner of their own.
The final quarter starts and we are already seeing a robust approach from Korea. It will be a huge test for China in these final 15 minutes.
The penultimate quarter is done and dusted, and we are back to where we started. China scored an excellent goal to restore parity and it is all to play for in the final quarter in Chennai.
Goaaaaaaal!! That is a massive goal for China. Chongkong Chen scores an excellent goal to level it up for them. The ball was drilled in and Chen comes running and guides the ball goalward with a superb stick touch.
Korea get a chance again after a decent circle penetration, the shot from Kim hits one China defender but umpire deems it unintentional and China won't have a Penalty Corner to defend.
China have made a decent start to this quarter in terms of defense. Korea are unable to create any chances so far. But they are still leading the match 1-0.
Not a lot between the two sides here in Chennai. We are about the start the 2nd half and Korean fans have come in plenty. Local Tamil song is playing in the ground and the crowd see, to be enjoying a lot of that.
At half time, China are trailing South Korea by a single goal. The Koreans got their goal through captain Jang Jong Hyun and they lead 1-0 at the break. Chinese conceded one penalty corner, and conceded the goal from that.
China have played well since going down but no equalizer so far. We are just two minutes away from half time. But the important thing for China is that they are just one behind and can come back in a flash.
China miss back to back chances. Daen Son fails to convert a quick counter attack. And moments after, Qijun Chen takes a shot but it goes wide.
Goaaaaaal!! And China fall again from a penalty corner. Jang Jong Hyun scores for Korea and China will be disappointed as the ball went straight through their keeper's legs. China's woes from penalty corners continue.
A poor mistake from China and that has earned Korea a chance from a penalty corner. Huge test ahead for China, who have been poor from PCs.
It is goalless at the end of the 1st quarter. Korea have been the more dangerous of two but China have looked a much better side than their previous matches.
Jang Jong Hyun produces another moment of brilliance with a superb pas to Lee Hyu Sung, but China again manage to intercept and clear the ball. Two minutes remaining of the first quarter.
It is a decent outing fir China so far. They are playing with much more discipline and poise. That's what happens when you play regularly. Against India, they played their first international match in four years. But third match in four days, and Chinese are looking decent so far.
Korea are dominating possession so far in this match. They have made more circle entries and looking much more convincing going forward. But so far we are yet to see a goal in the first quarter.
Korea make a circle entry there. Jang Jong Hyun with another delightful ball to trouble the Chinese defense, but China manage to clear it and avert any danger.

We are underway at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai.
A pictorial lineup
China and Malaysia go Stick-to-Stick in today's first match of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023🏑
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 6, 2023
Here's how they line up#HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame #HACT2023 @CMO_Odisha @IndiaSports @Media_SAI @sports_odisha pic.twitter.com/aEnnASytka
China's coach says they are looking forward for the match and the players are improving everyday. On the other hand, Korean coach says they are relying on a fast start and will be hoping to get three points and go to the summit of the table.
Korea dominate the H2H record against China. Out of 9 meetings, Korea have won seven and China have only a solitary victory.
Korea Squad: Kim Jaehyeon, Kim Hyeonhong, Kim Kyubeom, Nam Lee Yong, Jung Manjae, Son Dain, Kim Junghoo, Hwang Taeil, Lee Jungjun, Ji Cheon Woo, Park Cheoleon, Lee Hyeseung, Kim Jaehan, Lee Gangsan, Kim Sunghyun, Jeong Junwoo, Kim Jinkyeong, Lee Seunghoon, Kim Daehyun, Kim Hyeongjin, Jang Jonghyun, Hyun Jigwang, Lee Juyoung, Yang Jihun, Shin Seok-Kyo
China Squad: Shota Yamada, Yamato Kawahara, Seren Tanaka, Yoshiki Kirishita, Kentaro Fukuda, Taiki Takade, Takuma Niwa, Yuma Nagai, Manabu Yamashita, Raiki Fujishima, Ken Nagayoshi, Ryosei Kato, Ryoma Ooka, Masaki Ohashi, Genki Mitani, Kaito Tanaka, Kosei Kawabe, Takumi Kitagawa, Takashi Yoshikawa