FIH Pro League: India men's team to host New Zealand and Spain in opening ties of 2022-23 season

Bhubaneswar: The Indian men’s hockey team will begin the new season of FIH Hockey Pro League against New Zealand and Spain, the world governing body (FIH) said on Thursday, announcing the schedule of the fourth edition of its ambitious tournament. India will host New Zealand and Spain in the tournament opener between 28 October and 6 November later this year. India will play New Zealand in the first match on 28 October, followed by the second game against Spain on 30 October. The Indians will play their return leg matches against New Zealand and Spain on 4 and 6 October respectively. In between, both New Zealand and Spain will also play a double-header against each other on 29 October and 5 November. “Interesting to see the 2022-23 Pro League schedule released today. As far as our draw is concerned, it is well spaced out and provides us with practice opportunity before the 2023 World Cup,” Indian men’s hockey team chief coach Graham Reid said. In March next year, India will play Germany and Australia at home. India will face off against Germany on 10 March and after a day’s break will take on Australia in their first match of the two-legged tie. The second-leg matches against both Germany and Australia will be played on 13 and 15 March respectively. Germany and Australia too will play their FIH Pro League tie against each other in India. In what appears to be an action-paced Olympic cycle, India will next embark on a tour to Europe for their away matches against reigning Olympic Champions Belgium (26 May and 2 June), Great Britain (27 May and 3 June), Netherlands ( 7 and 10 June) and Argentina (8 and 11 June). Reid lauded FIH for its effort to cut down on travelling, terming the new schedule a “good development” for the league. “FIH is using the experience of utilising multiple teams in one location from this year, to provide more of a traditional tournament feel,” he said. “I think it’s is a good development. This will also provide a different tactical preparation between games where traditionally the games against the same team are back-to-back.” Read all the  Latest News ,  Trending News ,  Cricket News ,  Bollywood News , India News  and  Entertainment News  here. Follow us on  Facebook ,  Twitter  and  Instagram