The pots for Monday’s crucial draw to determine the Hockey Olympic Qualifiers ties was finalised on Sunday with both the Indian men and women confirmed to play at home later this year.
The updated FIH rankings after the end of the Oceania Cup saw the top-five among men, including India, retain their positions despite the upsets in the recent European Championships.
With the continental champions getting a direct ticket to Tokyo 2020, the remaining teams as per world rankings were drawn up with the top-seven hosting the two-legged tie in October / November.
India would now be drawn against one of the three — Pakistan, Austria or Russia, the three bottom-placed sides — with the last replacing Egypt, which pulled out of the qualifiers.
The Indian women, meanwhile, rose one position to be placed ninth in the world and also make the cut for being in the top-seven sides yet to qualify for Tokyo. They would be up against one of Korea, Belgium, USA or Canada.
The draw would see teams from Pot 1 playing against one of the sides from Pot 4, while those in Pot 2 would be drawn randomly against teams from Pot 3. Pots 1 and 2 would be host teams.
