India Will Play Against Russia In The First Game Of The Final Of The FIH Series On June 6 in Bhubaneswar

Favorites India will start its campaign against humble Russia in the Finals of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Series, an Olympic qualifying event, to be held in Bhubaneswar from June 6 to 15.

India's fifth world position will face Russia's world number 22 in the final match of the opening day, which also includes games between South Africa and the United States, Poland and Uzbekistan.

India is in Group A with Poland (number 21), Russia and Uzbekistan (43), while Group B is made up of South Africa (16), the gold medalist of the Asian Games, Japan (18), USA (25) and Mexico (39).

After Russia, India will face Poland (June 7) and Uzbekistan (June 10) in their remaining matches. The final of the tournament will be played on June 15 at the Kalinga stadium.

The tournament will also be the first major task of the new head coach of the Indian men's team, Graham Reid.

Meanwhile, in their bid to take a step forward towards qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the Indian women's hockey team will also participate in an event of the FIH Series Finals in Hiroshima, Japan, from the 15th to the 23rd. June.

Indian women are placed in Group A along with Poland (23), Fiji and Uruguay (24), while Group B includes hosts Japan (14), Chile (16), Russia (25) and Mexico (29).

The Indian women will begin their campaign against Uruguay on June 15, followed by the matches against Poland (June 16) and Fiji (June 18).

Like their male counterparts, Indian women are also the best ranked part of their tournament in ninth place.

The Finals of the FIH Series are one of the tournaments to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The two best teams from each event of the FIH Series Finals will secure a place in the FIH Olympic qualifiers to be held in October and November 2019, whose place has not yet been decided.

By: Preeti Narula

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