Hockey team gets easy draw: Afro-Asian Games

India is placed in Pool 'A' of the men's event alongside Japan, Egypt and Ghana while the women have been grouped with China, Zimbabwe and Kenya, also in Pool 'A'. Both teams are expected to reach the semi-finals, as the top two teams from each group qualify for the last four stage.

Pool 'B' of the men's event comprises Malaysia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh while that of women's competition involves Korea, Japan, South Africa and Namibia, according to the draw.

Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia and Egypt have already sent a preliminary list of players of their hockey teams to the Afro-Asian Games Council.

Complete Schedule:
Men: Pool A: India, Japan, Egypt and Ghana.
Pool B: Malaysia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
November 2: India v Ghana, Japan v Egypt
November 3: Malaysia v Zimbabwe, South Africa v Bangladesh
November 4: Japan v Ghana, India v Egypt
November 5: South Africa v Zimbabwe, Malaysia v Bangladesh
November 6: Egypt v Ghana, India v Japan
November 7: Zimbabwe v Bangladesh, Malaysia v South Africa
November 8: No. 3 of Pool A v No. 4 of Pool B, No. 3 of Pool B v No. 4 of Pool A
November 9: Semifinals
November 10: Positional matches for seventh and fifth places
November 11: Match for third place and final.

Women:
Pool A: China, India, Zimbabwe and Kenya
Pool B: Korea, Japan, South Africa and Namibia.
November 2: Korea v Namibia, Japan v South Africa
November 3: China v Zimbabwe, India v Kenya
November 4: South Africa v Namibia, Korea v Japan
November 5: India v Zimbabwe, Kenya v China
November 6: Japan v Namibia,, Korea v South Africa
November 7: Zimbabwe v Kenya, China v India
November 8: No. 3 of Pool A v No. 4 of Pool B, No. 3 of Pool B v No. 4 of Pool A
November 9: Positional matches for seventh and fifth places, and semifinals
November 10: Third place match and final.