August 16, 2007	Thursday	Sha’aban 2, 1428

LAHORE, Aug 15: Pakistan will face Hong Kong in their opening match at the seventh Men's Asia Cup hockey tournament, starting in Chennai, India, from Aug 31.

Eleven countries have confirmed their participation in the 10-day event.

The countries are divided in two groups. Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore are placed in Pool ‘A’.

South Korea, China, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Thailand are placed in Pool ‘B’.

Matches will be played on a single league system and two top teams from each group will qualify for semi-finals.

Schedule:

Aug 31: Malaysia v Singapore; Bangladesh v Thailand; South Korea v Sri Lanka; Pakistan v Hong Kong; India v China.

Sept 1: Malaysia v Hong Kong; Japan v Pakistan; China v Bangladesh; India v Sri Lanka.

Sept 3: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka; China v Thailand; Japan v Hong Kong; Pakistan v Singapore; India v Korea.

Sept 4: Hong Kong v Singapore; India v Bangladesh; Japan v Malaysia.

Sept 5: Thailand v Sri Lanka; Korea v China; Pakistan v Malaysia.

Sept 6: Japan v Singapore; China v Sri Lanka; Korea v Bangladesh; India v Thailand.

Sept 8: Semi-finals.

Sept 9: Final.