Bangladesh grouped with holders South Korea in Asia Cup hockey

Bangladesh have been placed in Pool B alongside defending champions South Korea, Malaysia and Chinese Taipei in the AHF Men's Hockey Asia Cup, scheduled for August 29 to September 7 in Rajgir, Bihar -- an eastern state in India.

The draw for the eight-team tournament was held on Tuesday, a day after the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) confirmed Bangladesh's participation in place of three-time champions Pakistan, who reportedly had refused to travel to India for security concerns.

Pakistan aside, AHF Cup champions Oman also withdrew from the tournament's 12th edition, from which the champions will advance to next year's FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium-Netherlands.

Oman's withdrawal opened the door for Kazakhstan -- pitted against hosts and three-time winners India, Japan and China in Pool A. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals from the competition which saw its inception in 1982 and has been staged in India twice previously. 

Bangladesh will start their campaign by taking on Malaysia August 29, before facing Chinese Taipei the next day and record five-time champions South Korea on September 1.