The national teams of India and Japan arrived today at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar. It was the Japan team who arrived first at the morning with full strength and confidence to surprise higher-ranked Indian team at the Kalinga Stadium.
The Indian team arrived at noon after concluding a nine-day preparatory camp in New Delhi. Post finishing at 3rd position in the 24th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, the team is looking for a series win against FIH Rank 16 Japan. For India, the Test series will be in preparation for the upcoming FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final in Antwerp, Belgium, scheduled in June. While for Japan, the series will help them gear-up for the FIH Hockey World League Semi-Final in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to be held in June again.
Also Read: Bhubaneswar to host Hockey world cup 2018