The 2016 Asian Champions Trophy is set to begin from October 20 at Kuantan, Malaysia with India, Pakistan, South Korea, China, Malaysia and Japan ready to battle it out for the coveted trophy. The competition returns after a gap of three years following the last edition in 2013.

The tournament

The tournament was initiated to garner interest and also raise the standard of the sport across the continent. Hence, in 2011, the Asian Hockey Federation introduced the yearly tournament. But, most countries sent their B team or their Under-21 side for the competition, which led to the tournament being scrapped.

However, the International Hockey Federation, in April 2016 decided to issue ranking points for the tournament. Previously, the tournament had no FIH ranking points. This decision means that the Champions Trophy will not only be part of the system that determines continental ranking but will also be included in the qualification system for Olympic Games and World Cups.

The impact has been immediate with all the top six sides of the region fielding more or less their first-choice team for the tournament, which gets under way on Thursday.

The format

The format which the Asian Champions Trophy follows is a round robin set-up with each team playing each other once. The top four teams enter the semi-finals, and then the finals. The teams that lose play the placement matches.

Seven teams to battle it out

Along with hosts Malaysia, India, Pakistan, South Korea, China, and Japan will vie for the trophy in its fourth edition. Pakistan have been the most successful in the short history of the tournament, having finished winners twice and runners-up once. India won the inaugural tournament after prevailing against Pakistan in a penalty shootout. Japan were runners-up last time with Malaysia consistently coming third in all three editions.

The schedule

On the opening day, home team Malaysia start their tournament against defending champions Pakistan followed by India taking on Japan. Each matchday will have two matches. Both the semi-final games will be played on October 29th and so will be the match for the fifth and sixth place. The third-place play-off and and the final is slated to be held on October 30th.

Team India players to watch out for

India is sending a near full-strength side, led by goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. Roelant Oltmans' side will see the return of defender Birendra Larka after a long injury layoff. Here's the complete squad:

Goalkeepers
1. PR Sreejesh (Captain)
2. Akash Chikte

Defenders
3. Rupinder Pal Singh (Vice Captain)
4. Pardeep Mor
5. Jasjit Singh Kular
6. Birendra Lakra
7. Kothajit Singh
8. Surender Kumar

Midfielders
9. Chinglensana Singh Kangujam
10. Akashdeep Singh
11. Sardar Singh
12. S.K Uthappa
13. Devindar Walmiki

Forwards
14. Talwinder Singh
15. Ramandeep Singh
16. Lalit Kumar Upadhyay
17. Nikkin Thimmaiah
18. Affan Yousuf

— Hockey India

The India-Pakistan angle

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan face each other on October 25 and there is already an edge to the clash following recent off-field events.

Indian skipper PR Sreejesh also added fuel to the fire by promising to fight for the cause of the soldiers who lost their lives in the gunfire exchange at the border. Sreejesh said, "It brings a lot of excitement to the table. We want to give hundred per cent. We don't want to disappoint our soldiers by losing, especially when they sacrifice their lives in the exchange of fire at the borders,"

Pakistan are currently in a transitional phase, having missed out on qualification for the 2018 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.