Hockey team to start against Hong Kong China in Asian Games

The Indian men's hockey team will be up against against Hong Kong China while the women will take on Malaysia in their respective lung-openers of the 16th Asian Games starting November 12 in Guangzhou, China.

The men's team has its first match of the quadrennial event November 15. The side has been placed in Pool B alongwith Pakistan, Japan, Bangladesh and Hong Kong China.

The always-anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the group stage will take place on November 20, Hockey India said in a statement.

Pool A comprises defending champions Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Oman and hosts China.

Indian women will play their first fixture on November 13.

The women's competition will be played in a round robin format between China, Korea, Japan, India, Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Thailand.

In the last Asian Games at Doha the Indian men had finished fifth while the eves had won the bronze medal.

The following is the competition schedule:

Men:
Nov 15: India v Hong Kong China
Nov 17: India v Bangladesh
Nov 20: India v Pakistan
Nov 21: India v Japan
Nov 23: Classification matches and semi-finals
Nov 25: Bronze medal match and Gold medal match

Women:
Nov 13: India v Malaysia
Nov 16: India v Japan
Nov 17: India v Korea
Nov 19: India v Thailand
Nov 20: India v Kazakhstan
Nov 22: India v China
Nov 24: Classification matches, Bronze medal match and Gold medal match.