India grouped with Pakistan, Japan in Asian Games hockey
NEW DELHI: Commonwealth Games silver medallists India have been grouped with arch-rivals Pakistan in the men’s hockey competition for November 12-27 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.
Japan, Bangladesh and Hong Kong are the other teams in India’s group. Pool A comprises defending champions South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Oman and hosts China.
India, who finished fifth in the 2006 Asian Games, open their campaign against Hong Kong Nov 15, and face Bangladesh in their next match Nov 17. Their face-off with Pakistan will take place Nov 20 and India will end their group stage against Japan Nov 21.
Indian women’s team, who won the bronze in Doha, will face Malaysia in their opening game Nov 13. The women’s competition will be played on a round robin format between China, Korea, Japan, India, Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Thailand.
Fixture:
Men’s
Nov 15: India vs. Hong Kong
Nov 17: India vs. Bangladesh
Nov 20: India vs. Pakistan
Nov 21: India vs. Japan
Nov 23: Classification matches and semi-finals
Nov 25: Bronze medal and gold medal matches
Women’s
Nov 13: India vs. Malaysia
Nov 16: India vs. Japan
Nov 17: India vs. South Korea
Nov 19: India vs. Thailand
Nov 20: India vs. Kazakhstan
Nov 22: India vs. China
Nov 24: Classification matches, bronze medal and gold medal matches