SATURDAY, 19 JANUARY 2008
The Federation of International Hockey (FIH) has released the match schedule for Great Britain’s crucial Olympic Qualifiers at the beginning of March. The six team tournament which will take place in Santiago, Chile, between 1-9 March, will provide GB with their last opportunity to qualify for the Beijing Olympics later this year – but with only one place available, they face a tough task.
The Brits have arguably the weaker of the three qualifying groups and will face Mexico (ranked =28th in the world), India (ranked 9th), Bangladesh (ranked =28th), Chile (ranked 20th) and Austria (ranked 25th). Great Britain does not have an official ranking, but England, as the nominated country for GB, has a world standing of 8th.
They will open their campaign against two sides who share the world’s 28th spot – Mexico on 1 March and Bangladesh on 2 March – and Great Britain will be looking to get two good wins under their belt before they face the hosts, Chile, on 4 March. They then go into what will perhaps be their toughest task when they face India in a clash of the titans on Thursday 6 March. Austria will be their last group game before the classification games on Sunday 9th when Great Britain will be hoping to play in the final at 2100hrs (GMT) for that all important top spot and a ticket to Beijing.
WorldHockey Olympic Qualifier
1-9 March 2008, Santiago, Chile
Time shown in bold = local time. Non bold = GMT.
Chile = -3hrs GMT.
| Saturday 1 March |
|
| ||
| 1430 | 1730 | Great Britain | v | Mexico |
| 1630 | 1930 | India | v | Bangladesh |
| 1900 | 2200 | Chile | v | Austria |
| Sunday 2 March |
|
| ||
| 1500 | 1800 | Great Britain | v | Bangladesh |
| 1700 | 2000 | Austria | v | India |
| 1900 | 2200 | Mexico | v | Chile |
| Monday 3 March |
|
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| Rest Day |
|
|
| |
| Tuesday 4 March |
|
| ||
| 1530 | 1830 | Mexico | v | India |
| 1730 | 2030 | Austria | v | Bangladesh |
| 1930 | 2230 | Chile | v | Great Britain |
| Wednesday 5 March |
|
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| Rest Day |
|
|
| |
| Thursday 6 March |
|
| ||
| 1400 | 1700 | India | v | Great Britain |
| 1730 | 2030 | Austria | v | Mexico |
| 1930 | 2230 | Bangladesh | v | Chile |
| Friday 7 March |
|
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| Rest Day |
|
|
| |
| Saturday 8 March |
|
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| 1500 | 1800 | Great Britain | v | Austria |
| 1700 | 2000 | Bangladesh | v | Mexico |
| 1900 | 2200 | Chile | v | India |
| Sunday 9 March |
|
| ||
| 1300 | 1600 | 5th | v | 6th |
| 1530 | 1830 | 3rd | v | 4th |
| 1800 | 2100 | 1st | v | 2nd |
WorldHockey Olympic Qualifier Groups
World ranking in brackets
North Shore City, New Zealand, 2-10 February
France (16th)
Ireland (19th)
New Zealand (10th)
Trinidad & Tobago (24th)
Argentina (7th)
USA (27th)
Santiago, Chile , 1-9 March
Great Britain (*8th)
Mexico (=28th)
India (9th)
Bangladesh (=28th)
Chile (20th)
Austria (25th)
* England, as the nominated country for Great Britain, is ranked 8th. GB does not have an official ranking.
Kakamigahara, Gifu, Japan, 5-13 April
Germany (1st)
Japan (11th)
Malaysia (14th)
Poland (21st)
Switzerland (33rd)
+ 1 TBC
