Hockey at Tokyo Olympics: India vs Australia Preview and prediction

Indian Hockey Player

India vs Australia: India and Australia are set to lock horns in a Pool A match of the ongoing Tokyo Olympics. The match is scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 25 at the Oi Hockey Stadium and will start at 3 PM (IST).

India vs Australia: Team Preview

India

India, the eight-time Olympics’ gold-medallist, have started their campaign on a resounding note. On Saturday, July 24, Manpreet Singh and Co. beat New Zealand by a margin of 3-2 to open their account in the marquee event. India are currently ranked fourth in the FIH World Rankings.

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India found themselves in trouble in their first game after Kane Russell scored in the 6th minute itself. However, Rupinder Pal Singh scored four minutes later to draw the equaliser. Harmanpreet Singh scored in the 26th and 33rd minute to give India a 3-1 lead. New Zealand’s Stephen Jenness scored, but India held their nerve to go over the finishing line.

Australia

Australia are deemed as one of the strongest contenders to win gold as they are the three-time world champions and the current world no.1 as well. The team, captained by Aran Zalewski, has as many as six Olympic debutants. They won their opening match against Japan by a margin of 5-3.

The Aussies won their first game, but they could well have ended on the losing side. At half-time, they trailed 3-2 after giving away three goals in pretty much no time. In the second half, it was tough to stop Australia. Blake Grovers scored the equaliser to bring his team back into the contest. Thereafter, skipper Zalewski and Daniel Beale scored to take their side to the triumph.

India vs Australia: Head-to-Head

The two teams have faced 128 times with India winning 22 times and Australia winning 85 times. 21 games between the teams ended in draws.

India vs Australia: Team News

India

The Indian side will go into this game without any of their players missing out either due to an injury or suspension.

Australia

The Kookaburras will have their full squad available for the upcoming fixture against India.

India vs Australia: Probable Playing XI

India

PR Sreejesh (GK), Rupinder Pal Singh, Surender Kumar, Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Manpreet Singh (C), Hardik Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Shamser Singh.

Australia

Andrew Lewis Charter (GK), Tom Joseph Wickham, Matthew Dawson, Edward Clive Ockenden, Jacob Thomas Whetton, Joshua Simmonds, Aran Zalewski (C), Daniel James Beale, Trent Grant Mitton, Tim Brand, Jeremy Thomas Hayward