India drawn alongside Pakistan in Asiad hockey

The men’s team has its first match of the quadrennial event on November 15. The side has been placed in Pool B alongwith Pakistan, Japan, Bangladesh and Hong Kong China.  The India-Pakistan clash will take place on November 20, Hockey India said in a statement.

In the other matches, India face Bangladesh and Japan. In the men’s section, Pool A comprises of defending champions South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Oman and hosts China.

Indian women will play their first tie on November 13 against Malaysia.  The women’s competition will be played in a round robin format between China, South Korea, Japan, India, Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Thailand.

In the last Asian Games at Doha in 2006 the Indian men had finished fifth while the eves had won the bronze medal.

India’s schedule:

Men: Nov 15: India v Hong Kong China; Nov 17: India v Bangladesh; Nov 20: India v Pakistan; Nov 21: India v Japan; Nov 23: classification matches and semifinals; Nov 25: bronze medal match and gold medal match.

Women: Nov 13: India v Malaysia; Nov 16: India v Japan; Nov 17: India v South Korea; Nov 19: India v Thailand; Nov 20: India v Kazakhstan; Nov 22: India v China; Nov 24: classification matches, bronze medal match and gold medal match.