Australia, England & New Zealand Teams Arrive In Bhubaneswar; Rousing Welcome For Pakistan At Wagh Border

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.

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.”

Likewise, skipper Swann said “it feels good to be back.”

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.

Also in Bhubaneswar is the team from New Zealand, who will begin their campaign at the mega event against France on November 29.

Players from New Zealand and England expressed their excitement about coming back to Bhubaneswar as tweeted by Hockey India.

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.

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.