MADRID, Nov 12: India and Pakistan have been grouped together in Pool B for the men’s Olympic hockey qualifier, to be played in Madrid, Spain, from March 2 to 13, 2004.

Twelve teams have been divided into two groups based on International Hockey Federation (FIH) rankings as on Oct 31, 2003. Malaysia, New Zealand, Belgium and Canada are other teams in the group.

Group A comprises defending Olympic champions The Netherlands, Great Britain, Spain, Japan, South Africa and Poland.

The top seven teams from the qualifier will join five teams — South Korea, Australia, Argentina, Germany and Egypt, who already qualified for the Olympics by virtue of emerging champions of their respective continents.

Cuba advised the FIH that it does not wish to exercise its right to compete in the qualifying tournament. As a result, Canada, first reserve country, accepted an invitation to participate. France is first reserve country for the tournament.

The pools for the tournament are based upon the FIH Tournament Regulations for a two-pool competition, namely:

Pool A Pool B

1st Ranked 2nd Ranked

4th Ranked 3rd Ranked

5th Ranked 6th Ranked

8th Ranked 7th Ranked

9th Ranked 10th Ranked

12th Ranked 11th Ranked

Therefore, based upon official FIH world rankings issued 31 October 2003, pools will be as follows:

Pool A: Netherlands, Great Britain, Spain, Japan, South Africa Poland

Pool B: Pakistan, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Belgium, Canada.—PPI