India men eye fresh start after WC slump, women look to carry form

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The Indian men''s hockey team will aim to recover from a recent slump while the women will look to build on the significant gains made in the recent World Cup when the hockey competition of the Asian Games begins here on Sunday.

There is plenty at stake for both the Indian teams as a gold in the Asian Games will secure their direct tickets to Los Angeles. Four-time champions the Indian men will have to lift their morale after finishing a lowly eighth in the recent FIH World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Reigning two-time Olympic bronze medallist India are placed in Pool A alongside hosts Japan, Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, while Pool B consists of Pakistan, Malaysia, China, Oman, Uzbekistan and Thailand. India will open their campaign against Indonesia, a match they are expected to win handsomely.

The Indian women will be brimming with confidence after producing their best World Cup finish in 52 years by securing the fifth place. The Indian women are placed in Pool B alongside Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and Singapore and will open their campaign against the Uzbeks, a contest which they should win comfortably.

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