We can’t take any team lightly: Harendra

World no. 6 India has been placed in Pool A alongside Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong China, while Pool B comprises Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Oman, Thailand and host Indonesia. India will open its title defence against minnow Hong Kong China on August 22 followed by games against Japan (August 24), Korea (August 26) and Sri Lanka (August 28).

“Though we are the defending champion, we cannot take any team lightly. I don’t call this an easy group. We must be highly cautious against each of these teams as we have not played against teams like Hong Kong China and Sri Lanka,” Harendra said after the schedule was announced on Sunday.

“Japan is a rising team in Asia and is capable of surprising any team. It has done well in recent events while Korea too is a good team, play very defensive hockey.” India defeated Pakistan in the final of the 2014 Asian Games to win the gold and with the 2020 Olympics berth at stake, Harendra and his men would be eager to book their direct ticket to Tokyo here.

“I expect the team to be hungry to win the gold again and get direct qualification for the 2020 Olympic Games. I want to make it clear that there will be no room for complacency,” the chief coach asserted. The Indian women’s team, meanwhile, has been placed in Pool B alongside title holder Korea, Thailand, Kazakhstan and Indonesia. Pool A features China, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong China and Chinese Taipei.

The Indian women’s team will open its campaign against host Indonesia on August 19, followed by games against Kazakhstan (August 21), Korea (August 25) and Thailand (August 27). Like his counterpart of the men’s team, Indian women’s hockey team chief coach Sjoerd Marijne is also eying a gold in the Asian Games but feels Korea will give it a tough fight in its pursuit.

The Indian women’s team had to settled for the bronze medal in the 2014 Asian Games. “In the Asian Games pool, Korea will be our toughest challenge and I am happy we have played quite a few matches against it this year and are aware of how it plays.” Marijne said.

With their vision set on securing qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, confident Indian men and womens hockey teams on Tuesday left for the 18th Asian Games to be held in Jakarta. Speaking about improving their previous performance of Bronze Medal in 2014, women’s team captain Rani Rampal said: “We are going into the Asian Games after a strong performance in the FIH Women’s World Cup 2018 which has given us a lot of confidence.” “Though we were disappointed that we did not make the semi-finals, winning a Gold in the Asian Games will help fade the bitter memories of the World Cup. The team is upbeat, confident and we are eager to further improve our career best World Ranking of No.9 by winning the Asian Games,” he added.