Determined to redeem pride after a below par show at the Asian Games, the Indian men's hockey team is expected to make a solid start when it clashes with hosts Oman in the Asian Champions Trophy opener, here Thursday.

The Indian team was favourite to win gold in Jakarta but had to settle for a bronze after a disappointing loss to Malaysia in the semifinals. World No. 5 India goes into the tournament as the highest-ranked Asian nation and tackling Oman should not be problem for the side at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.