Field hockey’s elite are set for an exciting tussle in India from Saturday (today) as dominant Australia seek an incredible sixth successive Champions Trophy title. The eastern city of Bhubaneshwar hosts the prestigious eight-nation invitation tournament regarded as the third biggest prize in the sport after the Olympics and the World Cup. With the World Cup held at The Hague in the Netherlands in June, the nine-day competition gives respective coaches an opportunity to look ahead and rebuild for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Australia showcased their undisputed prowess when they retained both the World Cup title and the Commonwealth Games gold medal in Glasgow earlier this year. But a field that includes five other nations that have won an Olympic gold – Germany, the Netherlands, England, India and Pakistan – besides the fast-improving Belgium and Argentina, opens up the competition at the Champions Trophy.
Today’s fixtures
12:00 pm Australia vs England
02:00 pm Pakistan vs Belgium
05:30 pm Netherlands vs Argentina
07:30 pm India vs Germany