Indian men and women's hockey teams leave for 18th Asian Games

Eyeing qualification to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Indian men and women's hockey teams left for the 18th Asian Games with hopes of winning gold.

While the 18-member women's team will begin its campaign against hosts Indonesia in a Pool B clash on August 19, the men will begin their title defence against Indonesia a day later.

Speaking about improving on their bronze medal at the last Asiad, women's team captain Rani said, "We are going into the Asian Games after a strong performance in the FIH Women's World Cup 2018 which has given us a lot of confidence.

"Though we were disappointed that we did not make the semifinal, winning a gold in the Asian Games will help fade the bitter memories of the World Cup."