Hockey team to start against Hong Kong China in Asian Games

New Delhi :

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 Semifinals

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.