Asian Champions Trophy | India starts as favourite against Japan

South Korea faces Pakistan in the first semifinal

Back to its best after a slow start, defending champion and Olympic bronze-medallist India will start as overwhelming favourite against Asian Games gold winner Japan in the semifinal of the Asian Champions Trophy men's hockey tournament here on Tuesday.

The Manpreet Singh-led side's confidence must be sky high, having thrashed Japan 6-0 in its last round-robin match and come Tuesday, India will fancy another big win en route to the title clash.

India ended the round-robin stage of the five-nation tournament at the top of the standings with 10 points, ahead of Korea (6), Japan (5), Pakistan (5) and hosts Bangladesh (0).