Bhubaneswar: Defending champions Australia will begin their quest for a hat-trick of titles with a clash against Ireland in Group B of the Hockey World Cup 2018 at Kalinga Stadium here on Friday.
Australia and Ireland haven’t faced each other in the World Cup yet. Since 2013, the two teams have met twice, Australia winning both the games.
Australia won the Commonwealth Games for the sixth time in April and then beat India in the final to lift the Champions Trophy for the 15th time.
In another match, England will meet China here this evening.
England and China have met just once since 2013 with England turning the result in their favour. The two teams haven’t met yet in the World Cup.
On the second day of the tournament, New Zealand beat France 2-1 while Olympic gold medalist Argentina defeated Spain 4-3 in Pool-A clash last evening.
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Ms Kalinga