In what promises a rollicking start to next year's Hero Honda FIH Hockey World Cup, hosts India will take on archrivals Pakistan on the opening day of the mega-event, to be held in New Delhi from February 28 to March 13.
According to event itinerary released by the International Hockey Federation on Tuesday, India plays Pakistan in the third Pool B match on the opening day, while Spain takes on South Africa in the tournament opener followed by an England and Australia encounter.
India next plays Australia, on March 2, and then takes on Spain on March 4, followed by encounter against England on March 6. They round off the pool stage with the game against South Africa on March 8.
Meanwhile, Olympic and World champions Germany commence their defence on the second day, March 1, against Korea in Pool A. The day will also see New Zealand taking on Canada and the Netherlands facing Argentina.
The semi-finals of the tournament are scheduled for March 11, while the final will be played on March 13.
Teams
Pool A: Argentina, Canada, Germany, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand
Pool B: Australia, England, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain.
Schedule:
Sunday February 28:
16:35 Pool B South Africa vs Spain
18:35 B Australia vs England
20:35 B India vs Pakistan
Monday March 1:
16:35 A New Zealand vs Canada
18:35 A Germany vs Korea
20:35 A Netherlands vs Argentina
Tuesday March 2:
16:35 B South Africa vs England
18:35 B Pakistan vs Spain
20:35 B India vs Australia
Wednesday March 3:
16:35 A Canada vs Germany
18:35 A Argentina vs Korea
20:35 A New Zealand vs Netherlands
Thursday March 4:
16:35 B South Africa vs Australia
18:35 B England vs Pakistan
20:35 B India vs Spain
Friday March 5:
16:35 A Korea vs New Zealand
18:35 A Netherlands vs Canada
20:35 A Germany vs Argentina
Saturday March 6:
16:35 B Australia vs Spain
18:35 B South Africa vs Pakistan
20:35 B India vs England
Sunday March 7:
16:35 A Korea vs Canada
18:35 A New Zealand vs Argentina
20:35 A Germany vs Netherlands
Monday March 8:
16:35 B Spain vs England
18:35 B Australia vs Pakistan
20:35 B India vs South Africa
Tuesday March 9:
16:35 A Germany vs New Zealand
18:35 A Netherlands vs Korea
20:35 A Canada vs Argentina
Wednesday March 10: Rest Day.
Thursday March 11:
15:35 Classification.11-12 6th Pool A vs 6th Pool B
18:05 Semi-final 1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool B
20:35 Semi-final 1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool A
Friday March 12:
15:35 Clas. 9-10 5th Pool A vs 5th Pool B
18:05 Clas. 7-8 4th Pool A vs 4th Pool B
20:35 Clas. 5-6 3rd Pool A vs 3rd Pool B.
Saturday March 13:
15:35 Bronze medal match
18:05 Final
