LAHORE – Pakistan will play its first match of the International Festival of Hockey against the hosts Australia at Melbourne’s State Netball Hockey Centre on Wednesday (today). The 4-Nation tournament also features New Zealand and Japan. After the single league, the top two teams would play the final, with the bottom two featuring in the third position game. Australia, the reigning world champions who are no 2 in the FIH rankings, are the favourites. Their trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand (ranked 8) are expected to offer the toughest competition. It will be a surprise if any of the Asia sides, Pakistan (ranked 13) and Japan (ranked 16), makes it to the final. Pakistan’s Matches includes Wednesday 8 November, vs Australia.Thursday 9 November, vs New Zealand.Saturday 11 November, vs Japan.Final & 3rd Position match:Sunday, 12 November.
