sardar singh
Sardar Singh is a key member of the Indian line-up Getty

India take on Japan in their opening game of the 2016 Asian Hockey Champions Trophy at Malaysia on 20 October.

Click here to follow the schedule of the Men's Champions Trophy 2016.

Where to watch live

Match starts at 3.30pm BST. Live coverage of the game in the UK is available on BT Sport and BT Sport HD.

Click here to find out how to watch Men's Hockey Champions Trophy on TV, mobile and online abroad.

Overview

The favourites to win the 2016 Asian Men's Hockey Champions Trophy, India come into this tournament on the back of a decent outing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games where they reached the quarter-final stage.

Winners of the inaugural edition in 2011, the Men In Blue are the top ranked side in Asia and under Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans have shown vast amounts of improvement, which would only hold them in good stead for future tournaments to come.

P R Sreejesh is retained as captain while midfielder Sardar Singh will be expected to play a key role if India are to win the competition.

Their opponents Japan are currently ranked 16<sup>th in the world and will look at this tournament as an opportunity to gain more high-level experience with an eye for the future. The Japanese come into this clash after a six-month international hiatus with their last assignment being the 2016 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup where they finished in last place.

Japan have a mix of experience and youth in their team and in defender Kenji Kitazato, drag-flick specialist Shota Yamada, forwards Hiroki Sakamoto, Kentaro Fukuda and midfielder Kazuma Murata have players who on form could help propel the team towards glory.

Team news

India:

Goalkeepers: P R Sreejesh, Akash Chikte

Defenders: Rupinder Pal Singh, Pardeep Mor, Jasjit Singh Kular, Birendra Lakra, Kothajit Singh, Surendar Kumar

Midfielders: Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, Manpreet Singh, Sardar Singh, S.K Uthappa, Devindar Walmiki

Forwards: Talwinder Singh, S.V Sunil, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Nikkin Thimmaiah, Affan Yousuf

India Japan