Tokyo Olympics 2021: FIH Announces Match Schedule, Indian Hockey Teams Start Off Against Netherlands And New Zealand

India is clubbed in with New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Argentina and Japan with the final medal matches on August 5. The women's team meanwhile has one day break between matches and one their campaign against the Netherlands.

Photo: Hockey India/ Facebook

Even as apprehensions remain on staging the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, the world governing body of hockey -- FIH released the match schedule with Indian men's team getting a heavier workload.

The men's team will open their campaign with two back matches in two days against New Zealand on July 24 and formidable Australia the next day with another back to back matchdays against tricky opponents Argentina and Japan.

"In line with what was planned for this year, the opening match of next year’s Olympic Games will be contested between the men of Japan and Australia. The opening match of the women’s tournament will be played on the same day, with reigning world champions and current world number one the Netherland," FIH said in the release.

India is clubbed in with New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Argentina and Japan with the final medal matches on August 5.

The women's team meanwhile has one day break between matches and one their campaign against the Netherlands.

The women's team have qualified for second straight Olympics after Rio and both teams have an outside chance of ending up in the medal bracket.

Match schedule:

Men July 24: vs NZ; Jul 25: vs Aus; Jul 27: vs Spain; Jul 29: vs Arg; Jul 30: vs Jpn; Aug 1: QF; Aug 3: SF; Aug 5: Final

Women Jul 24: vs Ned; Jul 26: vs Ger; Jul 28: vs GB; Jul 30: vs Ireland; Jul 31: vs SA

ALSO WATCH | Here's how cricket academy is operating in times of Covid-19