The men’s hockey team from South Korea arrived in Jalandhar on Sunday, making them the last team to join the other participants for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy, which kicks off on October 27. After settling in, the team took to the field for a practice session at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium.
In an interview, goalkeeper Kim Jaehyeon shared his thoughts on the tournament, calling India the strongest team competing this year. He expressed gratitude for the warm reception they received from the locals in Punjab, particularly enjoyed the traditional bhangra dance that welcomed them.
“This is our first time in India, and the kindness of the people is evident,” Kim noted, mentioning how special the bhangra performance was. He also highlighted that the South Korean team features several young players, many of whom are preparing for their first tournament on this stage. Kim added, “We aim to reach the semifinals and hopefully make it to the finals.”
Touching on the cultural exchange, Kim mentioned his awareness of the love for Korean pop music, especially BTS, among Indian fans. He also expressed admiration for Punjabi music, saying, “I know K-pop is loved here, and I think Punjabi music is fantastic.”
On the same day, another practice match was held at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium, featuring teams from Japan and Malaysia, as all participating teams ramp up their preparations for the tournament.
