New Delhi, India, December 19, 2019: India’s men’s hockey team will be hoping for a winning start when they begin their campaign at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics against New Zealand on July 25. The Indian women’s team first group game will be against the Netherlands. The schedule for the hockey competition was announced on Tuesday, December 17, in Tokyo. “A good start will always give the right confidence and momentum to carry on in the tournament so it will be important for us to begin with a win. New Zealand has always posed stiff competition for us and I believe it can be a close game,” men’s skipper Manpreet Singh said. “It is important to keep our nerves in check as opening matches can be a bit overwhelming especially at major events like the Olympics,” Manpreet added. The Indian men’s team have been drawn with defending Olympic champions Argentina, world number one Australia, Spain, New Zealand and Japan in Pool A. India will play their second match against Australia, July 26, then face Spain, July 28, Argentina, July 30 and finish the pool taking on hosts Japan on July 31. “Every game will be crucial at the Olympics and we cannot let our guard down against any team even if they are ranked below us. The competition will be so high that each match will need to be played like it’s a final,” Manpreet said. India’s women’s team is drawn with Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland and South Africa in Pool A. Source: ANI News Agency
India men’s hockey team hoping for a winning start in Tokyo Olympic campaign
