The India men’s hockey team will kick-off their Tokyo 2020 Olympics campaign with a match against world no.8 New Zealand at the Oi Hockey Stadium’s south pitch on July 24, Saturday.
Clubbed in Pool A with Australia, Japan, Spain, New Zealand and Argentina, the Manpreet Singh-led Indian hockey team will have to finish in the top four to advance to the quarter-final stage.
Having won eight gold medals, India is the most successful nation in hockey at the Olympics. However, the country hasn’t won a single medal since their gold medal feat at the Moscow 1980 Olympics.
New Zealand, on the other hand, has one gold medal in hockey at the Summer Games that came in the Montreal 1976 Olympics. The Black Sticks have since failed to make a podium finish at the Olympics.
Under coach Graham Reid’s guidance, India have done exceedingly well of late with the team ranked fourth in FIH ranking. The last time India had faced New Zealand was in the Olympic Test event in 2019, where they lost a match 1-2 and won the other 5-0.
India vs New Zealand men’s hockey team full squad
India men’s hockey squad: PR Sreejesh (goalkeeper), Harmanpreet Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Surender Kumar, Amit Rohidas, Birendra Lakra, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh (captain), Vivek Sagar Prasad, Nilakanta Sharma, Sumit, Shamsher Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Gurjant Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Sing
New Zealand men’s hockey squad: Blair Tarrant (captain), Hugo Inglis, Steve Edwards, Sean Findlay, Leon Hayward, Stephen Jenness, Sam Lane, Dane Lett, Shea McAleese, Jared Panchia, Nick Ross, Kane Russell, Jacob Smith, Dylan Thomas, Nick Wilson, Nic Woods
Where to watch India vs New Zealand men’s hockey at Tokyo 2020 Olympics live in India?
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics hockey match between India and New Zealand will be telecast on Sony Pictures Network and national broadcasters Doordarshan (DD Sports and DD National). Coverage will begin live at 6:30 AM IST on July 24, Saturday.
Live streaming of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics men’s hockey match between India and New Zealand will be available on the SonyLIV app and website.
Featured Image: Media/ Hockey India