MUSCAT: New Zealand were the first team to check in for FIH Men’s Olympic Qualifier as they arrived in Muscat on Wednesday almost 10 days before the start of the tournament.
During this period, New Zealand players, coached by Nicol Greg, will have an intensive preparatory programme ahead of both major events began including Olympic Qualifier and then the inaugural edition of men’s and women’s FIH Hockey5s World Cup from January 24 to 31 at Oman Hockey Stadium. Upon their arrival at Muscat International Airport, the New Zealand team delegation was welcomed by the members from the main organising committee. England team is expected to be the following team to arrive in Muscat on Thursday.
New Zealand, an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, will compete for the three direct tickets to the Paris Olympics 2024 as they vie against other seven team namely Germany, Canada, Chile, England, Malaysia, Pakistan and China.
New Zealand will play their official opening match against Chile on January 15. Then, they will take on Germany in the second match on January 16 while they will face Canada in day three match on January 18. All the matches will be held at Oman’s newly-built state-of-the-art hockey stadium located in Al Amerat. Three teams will qualify from the Muscat qualifiers to the Paris Olympics 2024.
FIH Men’s Olympic Qualifier will act as a best rehearsal ahead of the Men’s and Women’s FIH Hockey5s World Cup which will be staged in the same stadium. Moreover, the warm-up hockey pitch in the stadium will also be under test as the early arrived teams will have their training sessions in these venues.
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