India-US women's World Cup play-off in England

The women's hockey World Cup play-off series between the United States and India will be held in England.

The International Hockey Federation decided to schedule the series for June 22-25, near Birmingham, England.

The Americans were to have played in India next week, but the US field hockey team abandoned the series because of mounting tension between India and Pakistan.

The US team left New Delhi last Saturday following a warning by the US State Department against Americans travelling to India and Pakistan.

"These were very unfortunate circumstances, but at no time were we going to put the team at risk," US coach Tracey Belbin said.

The Americans missed the main qualifying tournament in France in September because flights were grounded after the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The winner of the three-match series gets a spot in the World Cup in Perth, Australia.

US Field Hockey president Sharon Taylor said the team is "looking forward to finally resolving the final spot in the World Cup".