India, defending the hockey gold medal won at Bangkok in 1998, takes on Hong Kong on the opening match of Pool A in the forthcoming Asian Games at Busan from September 29 to October 13. The men's hockey competition begins on September 30 against Hong Kong.
Eight teams in two groups are taking part. Pool A consists, surprisingly, the finalists of the last edition, India and South Korea, along with Hong Kong and Japan, while Pool B comprises, the bronze medallist, Pakistan with Malaysia, Bangladesh and China.
With only four entries, reigning champion, South Korea, China, Japan and India in the fray, the women's championship will be a four-team round robin event with the top two fighting for the gold.
China, recent winner of the Champions Trophy, meets the Commonwealth Games champion, India, in the opening on October 5.
The fixtures: Men: September 30: India v Hong Kong; Japan v Korea; Pakistan v China; October 2: Bangaladesh v Malaysia; India v Japan; Hong Kong v Korea; October 4: China v Malaysia; Bangladesh v Pakistan; Korea v India; October 6: Japan v Hong Kong; Malaysia v Pakistan; Bangladesh v China; October 9: Classifications: A-3 v B-4; A-4 v B-5; October 10: semifinals: A-1 v B-2; A-2 v B-1; October 11: Classifications: 7-8 and 5-6; October 12: final.
Women: October 5: China v India; Korea v Japan; October 7: Japan v China; Korea v India; October 9: Korea v China; India v Japan; October 11: Third place match and final. Source: The Hindu, Chennai
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