India-US women's World Cup
hockey play-off

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Friday confirmed the match schedule and technical officials for the World Cup play-off between India and the United States at the National hockey stadium in Delhi, from June 3 to 6.

The play-off will decide the final place for the 10th FIH Women's World Cup in Perth, Australia, from November 25 to December 8, this year.

The play-off was scheduled after the US failed to make it to France for the World Cup qualifiers in September following the terrorist attacks in their country.

FIH decided to give the United States a chance and thereby India, by virtue of finishing seventh in the qualifiers, were asked to play the U.S.

The teams will play the three matches at 1700 hours on Monday, June 3; Tuesday, June 4 and Thursday, June 6. June 5 will be a rest day.

The technical officials appointed are as follows:

FIH Representative: Annabel Dillon
Tournament Director: Merle Sterley (South Africa)
Technical Officer: Di Spinks (England)
Umpires: Marelize de Klerk (South Africa), Lyn Farrell (New Zealand), Gina Spitaleri (Italy).

Earlier, the India and US teams were scheduled to travel to Belgium for the play-off but India expressed reservations about the cold weather and expenses that would be incurred in travelling.

After considerable dilly-dallying from both sides, India and the United States agreed to stick to the original schedule and play a qualifying three-match series in Delhi.

The international body (FIH) intervened and, after consultations with the associations of both countries and receiving a positive report from the US Embassy, said the tie could be held as orginally proposed by the Indian Women's Hockey Federation.

India will also be playing in a four-nation tournament in Manchester from June 14 to 16 in preparation for the Commonwealth and Asian Games.