Contrasting outings for Indian hockey teams

Antwerp (Belgium):  Indian men's hockey team registered a thumping 4-0 victory over the US in their second practice match, but the women's team lost to Italy 1-2 in a warm-up contest here.

The men's team earned a penalty corner in the 20th minute and Rupinder Pal converted it to give India 1-0 lead. Midfielder Lalit Upadhyay extended the lead in the 49th minute with a field goal on Tuesday against the US, world No.26.

In the 52nd minute, Indian players earned another penalty corner and drag-flicker Rupinder once again was well up to the task to give world No.9 India a 3-0 lead. Later, Yuvraj Walmiki scored a field goal as the ball reached him after Jasjit Singh Kular's penalty corner hit was deflected by the US goalkeeper.

India will play their fourth and last practice match against world No.5 Great Britain on Wednesday before they play the first match of the Hockey World League (HWL) Semi-Final on Saturday.

However, the Indian women's team suffered second consecutive loss, going down to Italy 1-2.

After losing their first practice match against Japan, world No.13 India conceded a 0-2 lead to world No.16 Italy. skipper Ritu Rani scored through a penalty corner execution but that was not enough for India to save the blushes.