Field Hockey World Cup starts today    

THE HAGUE: Field Hockey World Cup for Men and Women will kick off in Netherlands capital city of The Hague on Saturday (today), ARY News reports.

Three matches will be played today. The opening match of the tournament will be played between Australia and Malaysia whereas Belgium will face India. England will go head to head against Spain.

In the women’s side, New Zealand will face Belgium whereas Australia will clash against Korea. Netherlands will square off against Japan.

Twelve teams are participating in the World Cup and have been placed in two groups. Pool A comprises of Australia, England, Belgium, India, Spain and Malaysia while Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, South Africa and Argentina are placed in Pool B.

Four time World Cup champion Pakistan have not qualified for the championship.

Two top teams in each pool will qualify for the semi-final that will be played on June 13. The third place match and the final will be contested on 15th June.