India will open its title defence against Hong Kong China on August 22 in the men’s hockey competition of the Asian Games, to be held in Indonesia.
India has been clubbed in Pool-A in the men’s competition alongside Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong China.
The Indian women’s team has been placed in Pool-B alongside holder Korea, Thailand, Kazakhstan and Indonesia.
Indian women will open against Indonesia on Aug. 19, followed by games against Kazakhstan (Aug. 21), Korea (Aug. 25) and Thailand (Aug. 27).
The champions in both categories will book their places for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The classification stage will begin on Aug. 29.
The women’s final is scheduled for Aug. 31 while the men’s final will be played on Sept. 1. This edition will also witness the debut of Video Referral System.
The groupings:
Men, Pool-A: India, Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong China; Pool-B: Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Oman, Thailand, Indonesia.
Women, Pool-A: China, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong China, Chinese Taipei; Pool-B: India, Korea, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Indonesia.
India’s schedule: Men: vs Hong Kong China (Aug. 22); vs Japan (Aug. 24); vs Korea (Aug. 26); Sri Lanka (Aug. 28).
Women: vs Indonesia (Aug. 19); Kazakhstan (Aug. 21); Korea (Aug. 25); Thailand (Aug. 27).
