Tanveer Singh Kapoor, Pune
The Indian men’s hockey team has been placed alongside arch-rival Pakistan. The game between both nations is scheduled to be held on September 30. Meanwhile, the women’s team will be facing Malaysia and South Korea in its group.
Besides Pakistan, the men’s team has been clubbed with Asian Games champions Japan, Singapore, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan. The team’s campaign will begin on September 24 against Uzbekistan. The women, on the other hand, will be up against Singapore and Hong Kong, apart from Malaysia and South Korea. They will play their opening fixture against Singapore on September 27.
The Japanese side won the gold medal in hockey at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh emphasised treating all teams at par and not taking any competition lightly in a release. He added that the team would study all their opponents, rewatch all videos to learn about their strengths and weaknesses and prepare their plans accordingly.
Men’s Group B comprises South Korea, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Oman, while women’s Group B comprises China, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan.
Following the Uzbekistan game, the men’s side will be up against Singapore on September 26 and Japan on September 28. After facing Pakistan, India will take on Bangladesh on October 2 in the last group-stage game.
The women’s team won the silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games. Skipper Savita expressed the team’s confidence in achieving good results in the competition, adding that all the players are united by the common goal of giving their best.
The Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium in Hangzhou, China, will host all hockey games. The men’s final will be held on October 6, while the women’s final will take place the following day.