India thrash Russia in Olympic hockey qualifier

SANTIAGO: Eight-time gold medallists India got their campaign to qualify for the Olympic Games off to a flying start with an 8-0 win over Russia on Saturday. But Great Britain, one of India's closest rivals for the one ticket to Beijing available from this tournament, were also in ominous form, disposing of Mexico 11-0. Prabhjot Singh starred for India by hammering home a fine hat-trick. But it was Dilip Tirkey who was first on the scoresheet with a 14th minute penalty corner before Prabhjot grabbed his first of the day five minutes later scoring off a pass from Sardar Singh. On the half-hour mark, India were 3-0 ahead with Prabhjot notching his second before Shivendra Singh made it 4-0 at the interval. Tushar Khandekar added the fifth as the Russian defence began to wilt early in the second half before Sardar, with his second of the match, VR Raghunath and Prabhjot completed the rout. India have never missed the Olympics since field hockey was introduced as a medal sport in 1928. Austria and Chile make up the six-nation tournament here which runs until March 9. Ten teams have already qualified for the Olympic men's competition with the remaining two coming from the qualifying tournament here and the next one in Japan in April. The automatic qualifiers were Australia (Oceania champions), Belgium (European bronze medallists), Canada (Pan American champions), China (hosts), South Korea (Asian Games winners), the Netherlands (European champions), Pakistan (Asian Games bronze medallists), South Africa (African champions) and Spain (European silver medallists).