Men to play Russia, women draw USA

LAUSANNE (SWITZERLAND):In a favourable draw, India’s men’s hockey team was today pitted against lower-ranked Russia while the women’s team drew a tricky USA in the final round of the Tokyo Olympics qualifiers. The teams will compete in two back-to-back matches on November 1-2 in Bhubaneswar.

Lausanne (Switzerland), Sept 9

In a favourable draw, India’s men’s hockey team was today pitted against lower-ranked Russia while the women’s team drew a tricky USA in the final round of the Tokyo Olympics qualifiers. The teams will compete in two back-to-back matches on November 1-2 in Bhubaneswar.

The men’s team is ranked fifth in the world while Russia is 22nd in the FIH world rankings. India had mauled Russia 10-0 during the

FIH Series Final in Bhubaneswar earlier this year. “I believe playing against some of the best teams will give us a good platform for the qualifiers,” India’s chief coach Graham Reid said.

The women’s American team is placed four places below world No. 9 India but it will not be a cakewalk for the Rani Rampal-led side.

The Indian women had played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw against USA in their last meeting at the World Cup in London last year.

To prepare for the qualifiers, the team will play a five-match series against England this month.

“I’ve always believed that the opponent we play does not matter as long as we are better prepared and that’s been our focus,” said Rani. — PTI

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Qualified for tokyo 2020

Men: Japan, Argentina, South Africa, Belgium and Australia

Women: Japan, Argentina, South Africa, Netherlands and New Zealand

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Olympics hockey qualifiers

Men

October 25-26: Spain vs France in Valencia