Pakistan hockey team will engage in a battle with the Indian team on 26th June, 2015 under the ‘World Hockey League’ in Antwerp Belgium. This match will be a part of the qualifying round for the 2016 Olympics. On June 24th, Pakistan will have to face the Australian team. The Pakistani team has been placed in a tough Pool. Pool ‘A’ includes Poland and France as well.
Pakistan’s first match will be against Poland on 20th June. Pakistan needs to beat at least two teams in this rounds in order to qualify. Pool ‘B’ consists of Great Britain, Belgium, Malaysia, Ireland and China. Top five teams of the qualifiers will reach the Olympics. In the presence of two strong teams like India and Australia in their pool, Pakistan may face problems to make it to the last-four stages.
If Pakistan fails to qualify for the semi-finals, then it still has to face a tough challenge to win the fifth position. India has the potential to beat Pakistan and get their revenge for their defeat in the last Champions trophy semi-finals.
Schedule (pool stage matches):
June 20: India vs France, Pakistan vs Poland.
June 21: China vs Malaysia, Great Britain vs Belgium, Australia vs France.
June 23: Great Britain vs Ireland, India vs Poland, Belgium vs China.
June 24: France vs France, Pakistan vs Australia.
June 25: Malaysia vs Ireland, Great Britain vs China.
June 26: Ireland vs China, Pakistan vs India, Malaysia vs Belgium, Australia vs Poland.
June 28: Pakistan vs France, Malaysia vs Great Britain, India vs Australia, Belgium vs Ireland.
