2018 Women’s Hockey World Cup | India to play opener against England eves
India have been placed alongside World No. 2 England in a tricky Pool B of the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup, to be held in London in 2018. World No. 7 USA and minnows Ireland have also been placed in the Pool B to give both India and England a stiff competition in the 16-team tournament.
After playing England on the opening day of the event, on July 21, the Indians will next play Ireland on July 26 followed by their last pool encounter against the USA on July 29 at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The World No. 10 and Asia Cup champions India will try to at least get the better of one of the two strongest teams in the Pool – USA and England – to keep their prospects alive in the tournament.
"We look forward to the challenge in Pool B. England and USA are ranked above us but the Indian women's team is on the rise with confidence-boosting performances in the past few months. Every match at the World Cup is important and each match needs to be
"It will be crucial for us to have a good outing in the Commonwealth Games next year so we carry forward a winning momentum into the World Cup. We have set our sights on Mission 2018 and all our training will be focused on peaking at the prestigious tournament," he added.
Meanwhile, in Pool A, World No.1 and reigning world champions Netherlands will face the challenge of Asian giants China, Korea, and Italy while World No. 3 Argentina
