Ireland face Olympic hockey champions Belgium in opening match at Paris Games
Ireland players and officials celebrate after the FIH Men's Olympic Hockey Qualifying Tournament third/fourth place play-off match between Ireland and Korea at Campo de Hockey Hierba Tarongers in Valencia, Spain last January. Photo by David Ramirez/Sportsfile
The Irish men’s hockey team face Belgium, the defending Olympic champions, and the number two ranked team in the world in their opening game at the Paris Olympics on July 27.
Competing at the Games for the first time since 2016, the squad face a gruelling schedule in Pool B with subsequent games against Australia, India, Argentina and New Zealand.
All of Ireland’s opponents are ranked higher in the world with India (4th), Australia (5th), Argentina (7th) and New Zealand (10th). Ireland are ranked 12th.
Realistically, Ireland will be targeting the games against Argentina and New Zealand in the hope of securing enough points to finish ahead of them in Pool B.
The top four countries advance to the knockout phase of the tournament.
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The quarter-finals are scheduled for Saturday August 4 with the semi-finals on August 6 and the final and the bronze medal match on August 8.
Ireland qualified for the Paris Games in January after defeating South Korea 4-3 in a contest for the final spot.
The squad spent most of February in India where they participated in the FIA Pro League against other Olympic-bound countries including the Netherlands, India, Australia and Spain.
Ireland will face the other countries participating in the Paris Games in future rounds of the FIH Pro league which will take place in May in Belgium and in London in June.
Ireland’s Men’s Hockey Olympic schedule
Saturday July 27: v Belgium
Monday July 29: v Australia
Tuesday July 30: v India
Wednesday July 31: v Argentina
Friday August 2: v New Zealand.
