In a move that motivates fan across globe, The FIH announced the schedule of the postponed 2020 Olympic Games on Friday. Indian men’s team will open their Olympic campaign against New Zealand on July 24 next year. The women open against formidable Netherlands on the same day. Actually, there was no much difference between the original schedule except dates.
The Olympics in the Japanese capital was postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic India, who have won eight gold medals, find themselves in Pool A along with Australia, Argentina, Spain, New Zealand and hosts Japan. Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Canada and South Africa comprise Pool B.
India take on Australia (July 25), Spain (July 27), reigning champions Argentina (July 29) and hosts Japan (July 30).
In the women’s competition, India are in Pool A with the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland and South Africa.
In Pool B are Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Spain, China and Japan.
Germany are next up for the women’s team (July 26) followed by defending champions Great Britain (July 28), Argentina (July 29) and Japan (July 30).
Originally set for a July 25 start this year and a conclusion on August 7, the hockey event will run from July 24 and end on August 6 at the Oi Hockey Stadium.
The order of the matches and venues remain unchanged the FIH announced in its communiqué.
Japan and Australia open in the men’s competition while India take on the Dutch, World Cup winners and No. 1 ranked nation, to kick off the women’s event.
Four sides from each pool qualify for the quarterfinals in both men’s and women’s sections.
The men’s quarterfinals, semifinals and final will be held on August 1, 3 and 5 respectively. The corresponding women’s matches are scheduled for August 2, 4 and 6.
The men’s quarterfinals, semifinals and final are scheduled for August 1, 3 and 5 respectively, while the knock-out matches of the women’s competition will be played on August 2, 4 and 6.
FIXTURES (timings IST):
India men
Saturday, July 24: India vs New Zealand: 6.30 am
Sunday, July 25: India vs Australia: 3pm
Tuesday, July 27: India vs Spain: 6.30am
Thursday, 29 July: India vs Argentina: 6am
Friday, 30 July: India vs Japan: 3pm
Sunday, 1 August: QFs: 6 am, 10.15 am, 3pm, 7.15pm
Tuesday, 3 August: SF: 7 am, 3.30pm
Thursday, 5 August: Bronze medal match: 7 am, Gold medal match: 3.30pm

India women:

Saturday, July 24: India vs Netherlands: 6.45pm
Monday, 26 July: India vs Germany: 7.15pm
Wednesday, 28 July: India vs Great Britain: 6.30 am
Friday, 30 July: India vs Ireland: 9.45 am
Saturday, 31 July: India vs South Africa: 10.15 am
Monday, 2 August: Quarterfinals: 6 am, 10.15 am, 3pm, 7.15pm
Wednesday, 4 August: Semifinals: 7 am, 3.30pm
Friday, 6 August: Bronze medal match: 7 am), Gold medal match: 3.30pm