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India to face South Africa in the Olympics hockey opener

Asian Games champions India will open its Sydney Olympics hockey campaign against South Africa on September 17, the second day of the competition, according to the draw released by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

Reigning champions The Netherlands takes on former winner Great Britain in the tournament opener on September 16.

India meets host Australia on September 19, Asia Cup champion South Korea on September 21, Atlanta Olympics silver medallist Spain a day later before rounding off the league engagements against Poland on September 26.

Pool A comprises Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Malaysia, The Netherlands and Pakistan, while strong contender Australia, Spain, India, Korea, Poland and South Africa form Pool B.

Two teams from each pool will qualify for the semi-finals, which will be played on September 28, with the final scheduled for September 30.

Though South Africa has been included in the draw, it is still not clear whether the team will participate. South Africa qualified directly as African champions but its National Olympic Committee decided against fielding the team, saying it may not finish in the top eight.

If South Africa decides not to send its team, Argentina, the first stand-by, will take the place in the tournament. Argentina finished seventh in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Osaka. The top six finishers at Osaka qualified directly for the Olympics.

The draw:

September 16: The Netherlands vs Great Britain, Spain vs Korea, Canada vs Pakistan, Malaysia vs Germany.
September 17: Australia vs Poland, South Africa vs India.
September 18: The Netherlands vs Malaysia, Great Britain vs Pakistan, Germany vs Canada.
September 19: Spain vs Poland, South Africa vs Korea, Australia vs India.
September 20: The Netherlands vs Canada, Malaysia vs Great Britain.
September 21: Korea vs India, South Africa vs Poland, Spain vs Australia, Germany vs Pakistan.
September 22: Rest day.
September 23: Malaysia vs Pakistan, Spain vs India, Australia vs South Africa, the Netherlands vs Germany.
September 24: Great Britain vs Canada, Poland vs Korea.
September 25: South Africa vs Spain.
September 26: Malaysia vs Canada, Australia vs Korea, the Netherlands vs Pakistan, Germany vs Great Britain, Poland vs India.
September 27: 9-12 placings: 5th Pool A vs 6th Pool B.
September 28: 5-8 placings 4th Pool A vs 3rd Pool B; 3rd Pool A vs 4th Pool B; First semifinal: 1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool B; 9-12th: 6th Pool A vs 5th Pool B; Second semifinal: 2nd Pool A vs 1st Pool B.
September 29: Final classification matches (5-6, 7-8).
September 30: Final classification matches (11-12, 9-10, 3-4); Final

Courtsey: www.hockeyasia.com