2020 Tokyo Olympics: India Men To Face New Zealand, Women To Play Netherlands in Opening Match

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Tuesday released the program for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The tournament kicks off on July 25^th next year and according to the schedule, the Indian men’s and women’s team will begin their campaign on the first day of the tournament.

The schedule suggests that Indian men’s team lead by captain Manpreet Singh will lock horns with New Zealand in the opening encounter on July 25th 2020. On the other hand, the Indian women’s team lead by Rani Rampal will kick off their campaign against Netherlands on the same day.

The eight-time champion men’s team will next take on Australia after New Zealand on 26 July. After this, the Indian team included in Group A will face Spain on 28 July followed by defending champions Argentina on 30 July. India and hosts Japan will be seen in action against each other on 31^st July.

The Indian women’s team who are also placed in Group A will play against Germany on 27 July, followed by Great Britain, Ireland and South Africa on 29 July, 31 July and 1 August respectively.

According to the FIH statement, the women’s gold medal match will be played on August 6 while the men’s match will be played on August 7.

The Indian men’s team, ranked fifth in the world rankings, won the Olympic ticket by defeating Russia 11–3 in the qualifiers played in Bhubaneswar. The Indian women’s team, who are ranked ninth in the world, booked the berth for the Olympics to be held in Tokyo by defeating the US 6-5 in the qualifiers.

Indian men’s hockey team Olympics schedule (All timings in IST)

Saturday, July 25 – India vs New Zealand – 6.30 am

Sunday, July 26 – India vs Australia –  3 pm

Tuesday, July 28 – India vs Spain –  6.30 am

Thursday, 30 July – India vs Argentina –  6 am

Friday, 31 July – India vs Japan – 3 pm

Sunday, 2 August – Quarterfinals – 6 am, 8.30 am, 3 pm, 5.30 pm

Tuesday, 4 August – Semifinals – 7 am, 3.30 pm

Thursday, 6 August – Bronze medal match (7 am), Final (3.30 pm)

Indian women’s hockey team Olympics schedule

Saturday, July 25 – India vs Netherlands – 5.15 pm

Monday, 27 July – India vs Germany – 5.45 pm

Wednesday, 29 July – India vs Great Britain – 6.30 am

Friday, 31 July – India vs Ireland – 8.15 am

Saturday, 1 August – India vs South Africa – 8.45 am

Monday, 3 August – Quarterfinals – 6 am, 8.30 am, 3 pm, 5.30 pm

Wednesday, 5 August – Semifinals – 7 am, 3.30 pm

Friday, 7 August – Bronze medal match (7 am), Final (3.30 pm)