India open vs Pak in Champions Trophy

NEW DELHI: The 2018 Champions Trophy hockey competition for men will start with the mouthwatering clash between traditional rivals India and Pakistan.

The international hockey federation (FIH) tournament will be held in Breda, the Netherlands, from June 23-July 1, 2018.

In opening day’s action, hosts and European champions the Netherlands will take on 2016 Olympic gold medallists Argentina; reigning Hockey World Cup, World League and Champions Trophy title holders Australia play Rio Olympic silver medallists Belgium while Asian champions India take on three-time Champions Trophy winners Pakistan. Hosts Netherlands, Argentina and Australia qualified for the 2018 Champions Trophy automatically whilst India, Pakistan and Belgium were invited by the FIH Executive Board.

The Champions Trophy will be one of the last opportunities for these teams to play against one another competitively before the end of year Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 (November 28 to December 16).

SCHEDULE: June 23: India vs Pakistan; Netherlands vs Argentina; Australia vs Belgium; June 24: India vs Argentina; Netherlands vs Belgium; Australia vs Pakistan; June 26: Argentina vs Belgium; Netherlands vs Pakistan; June 27: India vs Australia; June 28: Argentina vs Pakistan; India vs Belgium; Netherlands vs Australia; June 29: Belgium vs Pakistan; June 30: Argentina vs Australia; Netherlands vs India; July 1: 5th/6th place; 3rd/4th place; Final.