Indian men win, eves lose in practice game ahead of HWL semi

Antwerp (Belgium): Indian men's hockey team spanked lowly USA 4-0 in their third practice match even as the eves narrowly lost 1-2 to Italy in their second warm-up game ahead of the FIH World League Semi-Final to be held here from June 20 to July 5.

The Sardar Singh-led India men's team took the lead in the 20th minute yesterday through a penalty corner conversion by Rupinder Pal Singh.

Lalit Upadhyay doubled India's lead in the 49th minute with a field effort before Rupinder struck again from a penalty corner three minutes later.

Yuvraj Walmiki then scored from a rebound in the final minute of the match after Jasjit Singh Khullar's try from a penalty corner was blocked by the American goalkeeper as India registered a comfortable 4-0 win.

The Indian men's team had earlier defeated France 1-0 before losing 1-2 to hosts Belgium in their first two practice games.

Paul van Ass' men will next play world ranked fifth Great Britain in their fourth practice game.

The Indian eves, on the other hand, witnessed a contrasting result as their lost 1-2 to Italy.

The Italians surged ahead through a penalty corner conversion before extending their lead through a field goal.

For India, skipper Ritu Rani scored the lone goal from a penalty corner.

The Indian eves were earlier defeated 0-2 by Japan in their first practice game.