After a forgettable 2008, Indian men’s hockey team will be looking to redeem themselves when they begin their journey in the inaugural four-nation Punjab Gold Cup with a match against world number seven New Zealand, on Saturday.

In the mouth-watering second match of the day, Olympic champions Germany will take on the Netherlands at the floodlit Sector-42 hockey stadium.

India, who made a comeback to international hockey after a hiatus of almost a year with a series against Argentina earlier this month, have their task cut out in their first tournament since last year’s Olympic debacle as Beijing Games champions Germany, European champions the Netherlands and the mighty Kiwis stand in their way.