Rain postponement Champions trophy hockey matches

AUCKLAND: Persistent rain forced the postponement of matches on the second day of the Champions trophy hockey tournament here on Sunday at North Harbour hockey stadium.

Pakistan, beaten by England 2-1 in their opening match, was to face Spain in their second match but the rain which continued throughout the day left the arena under water leaving the organizers with the only option to postpone day's programme.

Australia was to play England, South Korea against New Zealand and Holland against Germany in other three matches.

"Rain left the field in unplayable condition and deprived the lovers of the game from watching world's best teams in action on a holiday in the 8-nation event," said a member of the organizing committee of the tournament while talking to APP here

He said the matches have been re-scheduled and will be played tomorrow, Monday which was earlier declared as the rest day. "There will be no rest day on Monday and four matches will be played as we want to finish the tournament as per schedule on December 11," he said.

Only changes have been made in the start of the timings of the matches on December 5 and 6. Programme of the matches , Dec 5 ,(all local times), 1005,  England vs Australia, 1205, Pakistan vs Spain, 1405, Holland vs Germany,1605 South Korea vs New Zealand.

Dec 6, 1205, England vs Spain, 1405, South Korea vs Germany, 1605, Pakistan vs Australia, 1805, Holland vs New Zealand.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011