The India men’s hockey team — winners at the Asian Games and bronze medallists at the Tokyo Olympics — have been placed in a tough Pool B at this year’s Paris Games.
The eight-time champions, who clinched a historic bronze in Tokyo after 41 years, have been clubbed with Belgium, the reigning Olympic champions and world no.2, the mighty Australia, Rio Games gold medallist Argentina, New Zealand and Ireland.
The Paris Olympics begin on July 26.
India are ranked third, behind Belgium and the Netherlands, and they had found it tough to beat Tokyo silver medallist Australia and Argentina in the past.
Pool A of the competition comprises the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, France and South Africa, as announced by the International Hockey Federation
on Sunday.
The pools for women’s hockey were also announced, after the completion of the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers. India Women, finishing a creditable fourth in Tokyo, have failed to find a berth for Paris while Germany, USA and Japan have gone through.
Reigning Olympic champions the Netherlands are in Pool A with Belgium Germany, Japan, China and hosts France. Pool B has Australia, current silver medallist Argentina, Great Britain, Spain, USA and South Africa.
