The Indian men’s hockey team were handed out a tough draw in this year’s Commonwealth Games, clubbed with world champions Australia and archrivals Pakistan in the October 3 to 14 megaevent.
Apart from Australia and Pakistan, India will face Malaysia and Scotland in Pool A of the men’s event, while Pool B consists of England, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and Trinidad & Tobago.
According to the schedule released by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), the Indian men will open their campaign against Malaysia on October 5, followed by Australia (October 7), Scotland (October 9) and Pakistan (October 10).
In the women’s event, India are placed in Pool A alongside Australia, South Africa, Scotland and Trinidad & Tobago while England, New Zealand, Canada, Malaysia and Wales will battle it out in Pool B.
A total of 10 men’s and 10 women’s teams will compete in the 11-day hockey tournament to be played on two pitches of the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here.
Men: Pool A: Australia, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Scotland
Pool B: England, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Trinidad & Tobago.
Women: Pool A: Australia, South Africa, India, Scotland, Trinidad & Tobago.
Pool B: England, New Zealand, Canada, Malaysia, Wales.