India takes on Australia

India's true preparation for the Olympics hockey competition begins on Wednesday when it takes on the World champion, Australia, in the opening match of the VISA-four nation tournament at the Olympic Park in London. Germany, the Olympic champion, and host, Great Britain, are the other two teams in fray.

All the three opponents are higher ranked teams with impeccable credentials. Michael Nobbs, the Aussie coach for the Indian team, has been absolutely pragmatic in not talking too much over the team's chances. His hope of proving a worthy opponent to the three is more than a compensation for the defeats sustained against them in the recent past, especially against the Aussies in Perth.

This is India's first top-rated event after the Olympic Qualifier in New Delhi. India has to raise its showing notches above to meet the challenges.

The event attracts more than usual interest because of the new blue coloured synthetic pitch that will be put to use for the first time. The coaches have little or no clue about the nature of the surface or the bounce of the ball on the turf. That will make watching the matches more exciting.

India opens with a match against the Aussies on Wednesday and takes on Great Britain the next day. On May 5, the tie will be against Germany. The medal matches are slated for Sunday. Apart from the four men's teams, an equal number of women squads — Argentina, China, Japan and Great Britain — are in the fray.

India's schedule:

May 2: v Australia (8.45 p.m. IST);

May 3: v Great Britain (11 p.m.);

May 5: v Germany (7.15 p.m.).