India to open 2021-22 FIH Pro League campaign against NZ
What's the story
The Indian men's hockey team will open its campaign in the third edition of FIH Pro League against New Zealand on February 5 next year as the world governing body released the schedule of the prestigious tournament. India will also take on Australia and Spain in February as it plays five away matches that month before taking on Germany and Argentina at home.
Matches
Home matches against Germany, Argentina, England
After the match against the Black Sticks, India will take on Australia on February 12 and 13 before facing Spain (Feb 26 and 27). India will play against Germany (March 12, 13) and Argentina (March 19, 20) at home. Then next month, India will face England (April 2, 3) at home.
Schedule
Schedule gives an opportunity for advance preparations: Captain Manpreet
This will be followed by away games against Belgium (on June 11 and 12) and Netherlands (June 18 and 19) in a packed 2022 season. "It (schedule) gives us an opportunity for advance preparations. Though right now our focus is on doing well in Tokyo this July and peaking at the right time to succeed at the Olympic Games," said India skipper Manpreet Singh.
Teams
'Team excited about starting the campaign against NZ and Australia'
"We now know what needs to be done in the second half of the year," Singh added. "They (New Zealand and Australia) are always a very challenging team particularly at home and we are very excited about the prospects of starting our campaign against them," he said. India chief coach Graham Reid said his team looks forward to playing against the world's best teams.
Second season
India is scheduled to play against Spain, Germany this month
"We will begin our assault on the title with a trip to NZ and Australia in February 2022. These matches are always tough against tough competitors in what can be often very warm conditions during that time," Reid said. The second season (2020-21) of the FIH Pro League is currently on with India scheduled to play against Spain and Germany later this month.