Bhubaneswar: Defending Champions Kookaburras or the team from Australia arrived in Bhubaneswar for Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018, beginning November 28. Hockey India tweeted welcoming the Kookaburras.
Hockey India welcomes @Kookaburras, the defending champions of the Men’s Hockey World Cup title, have arrived in the host city of the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 on 24th November 2018.#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/U1QnB9HaNY
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 24, 2018
Co-Captain of the Australian team, Aran Zalewski, also said in a video that he believes the “Kalinga Stadium is the best place in the world to play hockey.”
Defending Champions @Kookaburras‘ Co-Captain @AranZalewski believes the Kalinga Stadium is the best place in the world to play hockey and he cannot contain his excitement for the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018.#IndiaKaGame #HCT2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/OTW7gZZlPk
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 24, 2018
Likewise, skipper Swann said “it feels good to be back.”
‘Feels good to be back,’ says @swann20 of the @Kookaburras, who is pumped up to play in front of the host city crowd at the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018. #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/qpMN6kEIyY
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 24, 2018
Earlier on Saturday, the team from England also arrived in Bhubaneswar. Hockey India tweeted that the English will flag off their campaign at the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 against China on November 30.
.@EnglandHockey have marked their arrival in Bhubaneswar on 24th November! They will flag-off their campaign at the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 against China on 30th November.#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/pRoBKRJ1yO
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 23, 2018
Also in Bhubaneswar is the team from New Zealand, who will begin their campaign at the mega event against France on November 29.
New Zealand have touched down in the host city! The @BlackSticks will flag off their campaign at the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 against France on 29th November.#IndiaKaGame #DilHockey #HWC2018 pic.twitter.com/RN4S7yAGG4
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 23, 2018
Players from New Zealand and England expressed their excitement about coming back to Bhubaneswar as tweeted by Hockey India.
.@AdamDixon16 is thrilled to return to Bhubaneswar, a city he considers home after his time spent playing with the @KalingaLancers. Watch to know what he had to say in his return.#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/2yVfSdL4rr
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 24, 2018
Barry Middleton may be well worn by the journey, but his excitement for the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 remains palpable. Welcome to India, Barry!#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/tofURtFBnX
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 24, 2018
.@EnglandHockey marked their arrival at Bhubaneswar on 24th November for their campaign at the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018. Here are some moments captured from the team’s arrival.
ALBUM: https://t.co/EOQitJDFo7#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/52F8xhJHvw
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 24, 2018
Here are some photographs captured from @BlackSticks‘ arrival at Bhubaneswar on 24th November before they begin their journey at the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018.
ALBUM: https://t.co/BthNtzvrs8#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/ej6faYUadA
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 24, 2018
Meanwhile, Pakistan arrived at Wagah Border and are on their way to Bhubaneswar. They were given a warm welcome at the border by the Indians. “We are happy to receive such kind of warm welcome and we are here to play good hockey. To become champions of world cup, we need to play aggressive and attacking game,” Skipper Mohammed Rizwan Sr told SportsMirchi.
Here are glimpses of @PHFOfficial ‘s arrival in India at the Wagah Border on 24th November. The team will soon be on their way to the host city for their campaign at Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018.
ALBUM: https://t.co/UMVduHjKM1#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/k63E1PEGJ8
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 24, 2018
Pakistan holds the 13th position in FIH ranking and will play against Germany in their first match on December 1 at Kalinga Stadium. It is placed in Pool D of competition.
