Indian men's hockey team placed in tough Pool B of Paris Olympics

NEW DELHI:

Asian Games

champions and Tokyo Olympics bronze medallists

Indian men's hockey team

faces a challenging draw in Pool B at the upcoming Paris Games.
The eight-time champions India have been clubbed with formidable opponents, including reigning Olympic champions and world number two, Belgium, powerhouse Australia, Rio Games gold medallist Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland.

India, currently ranked third globally, secured a historic bronze medal in Tokyo, ending a 41-year medal drought. The team has historically found it challenging to overcome opponents like Tokyo silver medallist Australia and Argentina.
In Pool A, the competing teams include Netherlands,

Germany

, Great Britain, Spain, France, and South Africa.

The

International Hockey Federation

(FIH) revealed the pools for both the men's and women's hockey competitions following the conclusion of the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers on Sunday.
In the women's hockey competition at the Paris Games, India, who achieved a commendable fourth-place finish in Tokyo, will not be represented as they failed to qualify.
India secured the fourth position after losing 0-1 to Japan in the Olympic Qualifiers in Ranchi on Friday. Germany, USA, and Japan earned their berths from the Ranchi event.

Reigning Olympic champions Netherlands headline Pool A, joined by Belgium, Germany, Japan, China, and hosts France. Pool B features Australia, the current silver medallist Argentina, Great Britain, Spain, USA, and South Africa.
The allocation of teams to their respective pools is based on the

FIH World Rankings

as of Sunday.
The 12 teams per gender earned qualification for the Olympic Games through various means, including being hosts, winners of their continental qualifiers, or top-three finishers in their FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier.
The top four teams from each pool in both men's and women's competitions will qualify for the quarterfinals.
The

Paris Olympics

will be held from July 26 till August 11 and hockey competitions will start from July 27 and end on August 9.
(With PTI inputs)