LAHORE, Feb 17: Pakistan will face Canada in the opening match of Olympic hockey qualifying round in Madrid on March 2, but they will be put to real test when they take on arch rivals India on March 6 , according to tournament schedule.

The programme made available here on Tuesday by Pakistan Hockey Federation says a total of seven teams have to qualify from the 12-nation elite tournament for the Athens Olympic to be held in August.

Pakistan has been placed in Pool B, alongwith India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Belgium and Canada. Pool A consists of Holland, England, Spain, Japan, South Africa and Poland.

Following is the match programme:

(March 2): South Africa vs Holland, New Zealand vs Malaysia, Poland vs England, Pakistan vs Canada, Spain vs Japan, India vs Belgium.

(March 3): Japan vs Poland, South Africa vs Spain, Holland vs England.

(Mar 4): Belgium vs Pakistan, Malaysia vs India, Canada vs New Zealand.

(Mar 5): Japan vs England, Spain vs Holland, Poland vs South Africa.

(Mar 6): New Zealand vs Belgium, Canada vs Malaysia, Pakistan vs India.

(Mar 7): England vs Spain, South Africa vs Japan, Holland vs Poland.

(Mar 8): Belgium vs Canada, India vs New Zealand, Malaysia vs Pakistan.

(Mar 9): Canada vs India, Japan vs Holland, Belgium vs Malaysia, South Africa vs England, Spain vs Poland, New Zealand vs Pakistan.

(Mar 11): 3rd of Pool A vs 4th of Pool B, 5th of Pool A vs 6th of Pool B, 3rd of Pool B vs 4th of Pool A, 5th of Pool B vs 6th of Pool A, 1st of Pool A vs 2nd of Pool B, 1st of Pool B vs 2nd of Pool A.

(Mar 12): Loser match 32nd vs loser match 34th, winner match 32nd vs winner match 34th, winner match 31st vs winner match 33rd.

(Mar 13): Loser match 31st vs loser match 33rd, loser match 35th vs loser match 36, winner match 35th vs winner match 36. -APP