India out to prove mettle in hockey

Since 1992 Australia have won a medal at every Olympic tournament and the World Cup winners will be the favourites to clinch what would be only their second gold medal. The Kookaburras, who recently beat India in a penalty shootout in the Champions Trophy final, only managed a bronze four years ago in London despite being overwhelming favourites. Once-mighty India are the most decorated nation in the sport’s Olympic history but the South Asians won the last of their eight gold medals way back at the Moscow Games in 1980. Their strong build-up, claiming silver at the Champions Trophy, has again boosted optimism among fans in the nation of 1.25 billion people. On the women’s side, the Netherlands have captured seven world titles and been to every Olympic Games since 1984, winning three gold, one silver and three bronze medals. The world’s top-ranked side will be the heavy favourites to add to their gold medal tally in Rio. India have been pooled with the Netherlands, Argentina, Germany, Ireland and Canada.