We must be cautious in Asiad title defence: hockey coach Harendra

The Indian men's hockey coach Harendra Singh feels his defending champion side cannot afford to take things easy in next month's Asian Games even though it is a gold medal favourite owing to its highest-ranked status in the draw.

World no. 6 India have been placed in Pool A alongside Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong China, while Pool B comprises Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Oman, Thailand and hosts Indonesia.

India will open its title defence against minnows Hong Kong China on August 22 followed by games against Japan (August 24), Korea (August 26) and Sri Lanka (August 28).

"Though we are the defending champions, we cannot take any team lightly. I don't call this an easy group. We must be highly cautious against each of these teams as we have not played against teams like Hong Kong China and Sri Lanka," Harendra said after the schedule was announced yesterday.

"Japan is a rising team in Asia and are capable of surprising any team. They have done well in recent events while Korea too are a good team, play very defensive hockey."