Pakistan to face off Thailand in Asian Games hockey opener
Former Asian Games champions, Pakistan will open its campaign in the Asian Games hockey event by taking on Thailand on August 20 at Jakarta.
A total of 21 teams from 14 countries will go head to head in the Men's and Women's categories in 60 matches over a course of 14 days in the Asian Games hockey event by taking on Thailand on August 20 at Jakarta.
Former Asian Games champions, Pakistan will face Thailand in their Pool B opening match on August 20. The winners of the men and women’s categories will book their place in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. All matches will be played in the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Sports Complex in Jakarta, Indonesia.
11 men’s teams have been split into two groups, based on FIH World Rankings. In Pool A, Asian champions India lead the group along with South Korea (14), Japan (16), Sri Lanka (38), and Hong Kong China (45). In Pool B, Malaysia (12), Pakistan (13), Bangladesh, Oman, Thailand, and Indonesia will go head to head to secure top positions.
Shahbaz believes Pakistan will shine at Asian games Meanwhile, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is optimistic that national squad will emerge victorious in the upcoming Asian Games.
PHF secretary general Shahbaz Ahmed said that after showing satisfactory performance in recently concluded last edition of the Champions Trophy, the moral of national team was high. “During The Champions Trophy, we defeated Olympic champions Argentina 4-1 in Breda, whereas, we also played brilliantly against other strong teams,” he said and added special focus had been put on team to get good results at the Asiad. “Our main target is to play the final and win it,” the former captain said and added India would be the team to beat for Pakistan.
Pools
Pool A: India, South Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong China
Pool B: Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Oman, Thailand, Indonesia
Pakistan’s Fixture Schedule(PST)
Monday, 20 August 2018:
16:00 pm: Pakistan vs Thailand
Wednesday, 22 August 2018:
12:00 pm: Pakistan vs Oman
Friday, 24 August 2018:
16:00 pm: Indonesia vs Pakistan
Sunday, 26 August 2018:
16:00 pm: Pakistan vs Malaysia
Tuesday, 28 August 2018:
10:00 am: Bangladesh vs Pakistan
Thursday, 30 August 2018
10:30 am: 9/11th 5th Pool A vs 6th Pool B
13:00 pm: 7/8th 4th Pool A vs 4th Pool B
15:30 pm: Semifinal 1 1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool B
18:00 pm: Semifinal 2 1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool A
Saturday, 1 September 2018
10:30 am: 9/10th Winner M26 vs 5th Pool B
13:00 pm: 5/6th 3rd Pool A vs 3rd Pool B
15:30 pm: 3/4th Loser SF1 vs SF2
18:00 pm: Final Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2.
