BREDA, The Netherlands: The Indian hockey team would be aiming for a fresh start, putting behind the disappointment of a poor Commonwealth Games campaign, when it begins its pursuit of a maiden Champions Trophy title, taking on arch-rivals Pakistan in the opening clash, here Saturday.
Asian champions India have never won the Champions Trophy in its last 36 editions but will be hoping to claim the feat in the tournament’s last edition here. The best India has fared in the tournament was the runners-up finish at the 2016 event in London, losing to Australia in a shoot-out.
The world’s best six teams compete in the Champions Trophy and this year’s line-up include reigning Olympic champions Argentina, world no.1 Australia, Belgium, hosts Netherlands and Pakistan, besides India.
India will open against Pakistan before taking on Argentina (on June 24), Australia (June 27), Belgium (June 28) and Netherlands (June 30).
Even though India (6th) are way ahead of Pakistan (13th) in the world rankings, but there is hardly any gap between the two teams when it comes to the head-to-head contests.
In other matches of the opening day, home favourites and European champions Netherlands will play Olympic and Pan American champions Argentina, while reigning champions Australia will take on Olympic Silver medallists Belgium.
