Hockey WC: India to open campaign against Spain

NEW DELHI: Host India will take on Spain in its Men’s Hockey World Cup opener at the newly-built Birsa Munda International Stadium in Rourkela on January 13. Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist India, which is currently World No.5 in the FIH rankings, is clubbed alongside England (6), Spain (8) and debutant Wales (16) in pool D.

India will play its second match in Rourkela, against England on January 15, before moving to Bhubaneswar, where it will face Wales in its final group match on January 19. While India’s maiden match starts at 7 pm IST, the tournament will begin in Rourkella with England taking on Wales in the first game.