Indian men’s hockey group will face Russia in FIH Olympic Qualifiers
The girls’ crew will face 13th ranked USA inside the Qualifiers
The men’s group had mauled Russia 10-0 during the FIH Series Final in Bhubaneswar
In a favorable draw, India’s guys’ hockey group was on Monday pitted against decrease-ranked Russia at the same time as the women’s crew drew the complicated USA within the very last round of the Tokyo Olympics qualifiers.
Eight-time Olympic champions India are ranked five within the global whilst the Russians are placed 22 in the FIH world ratings. India had mauled Russia 10-zero for the duration of the FIH Series Final in Bhubaneswar earlier this yr.
The women American crew is placed four locations under India (ranked nine) it won’t be a cake stroll for the Rani Rampal-led aspect once they take the sphere for the FIH Olympic qualifiers in October-November this yr.
The Indian girls had performed out a difficult-fought 1-1 draw towards the USA in their last assembly on the Women’s World Cup in London closing yr.
The nations will compete in two lower back-to-lower back fits to seal their tickets for the Tokyo Games.
The Indian guys’ hockey team chief coach Graham Reid said they’re confident of qualifying for the massive-price tag event.
“We are devoted to reaching the Olympic qualification and in that pursuit, we preserve to emphasize on improving our defense. I agree with schooling and playing in opposition to some of the fine teams of the sector will deliver us a terrific platform for the qualifiers,” Reid said.
The Indian women’s hockey group’s leader teaches Sjoerd Marijne too sounded constructive approximately their probabilities.
“The group has been acting nicely within the last few months. All the players are confident, very excited to participate in the FIH Olympic Qualifiers at domestic and they’re charged up to attain the group’s purpose,” stated Marijne.
As part of instruction for the Qualifiers, the Indian girls’ team will play a 5-healthy series against England this month.
“I’ve continually believed that the opponent we play does not remember as long as we’re better organized and that’s been our recognition,” stated Rani Rampal
“We knew the regions we needed to paintings on to be inside the quality shape to play two returned-to-back matches and we’re running towards prevailing them.”
Among other FIH Olympic fits in the guys’ segment, Netherlands will host Pakistan, Germany will play Russia, Great Britain is up in opposition to Malaysia, Spain has drawn France, New Zealand will play Korea and Canada had been pitted towards Ireland.
In the women’s section, Australia will play Russia, Germany will lock horns with Italy, Great Britain is up against Chile, Spain has drawn Korea, Ireland will face Canada and China are slated to fulfill Belgium.