Pakistan slotted in Pool B as draws for Asian Games Hockey competition unveiled

KUALA LUMPUR: The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) on Thursday announced the draw and match schedule for the sport's competition for the 20th Asian Games, scheduled to be staged in Japan from September 19 to October 4.

As per the recently announced draw, the Pakistan men's hockey team has been slotted in Pool B of the 12-team competition alongside Malaysia, China, Oman, Uzbekistan and Thailand, while Pool A comprises India, Japan, Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

The Green Shirts will kick off their campaign against Thailand on September 20 before taking on Uzbekistan the following day.

Their third group-stage match is scheduled against China on September 24, while their remaining two fixtures of the preliminary phase are against Malaysia and Oman on September 26 and 28, respectively.

As per the tournament format, participating teams will compete against each of their respective groupmates in the league stage, following which the top two sides from the two pools will advance into the semi-finals, both scheduled to be played on October 1.

The remaining teams will then feature in classification matches, while the winners of the two semi-finals will contest in the Gold medal match, slated to be played on October 3.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan's participation in the Asian Games will come a month after their drought-ending appearance at the FIH Hockey World Cup, scheduled to be co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30.

Pakistan are scheduled to kick off their World Cup campaign on August 15 by locking horns with England before taking on Wales on August 17 in their second group-stage match.

In their last league-stage match, the Green Shirts will collide with traditional rivals India on August 19.