India start hockey campaign in style

Sydney: India opened their Olympic account with a 3-0 victory over Argentina in Pool B on Sunday.

All but unbeatable at the Olympics between 1928 and 1956, India have not won a gold medal since Moscow in 1980, and four years ago finished last of the eight teams in Atlanta.

They boast one of the most experienced line-ups in the men's tournament, with Mukesh Kumar, Riaz Mohammed, Dhanraj Pillay and Baljit Dhillon Singh all having played more than 200 internationals.

In their opening match against the youthful Argentine side, India took time to find their feet before knocking in two exceptional goals late in the first half.

Striker Sameer Dad gave every indication he may have been a fine cricketer in his youth, pouncing on a deflection of the goalkeeper's stick and hooking the ball a la Sachin Tendulkar into the net to open the scoring in the 25th minute.

In the final minute before halftime, veteran Mukesh made it 2-0 with a sweet strike into the top right corner of the net.

Argentina had a chance to pull one back from a penalty corner 12 minutes into the second half, but were denied by a desperate lunge from Baljit Singh on the goal line.

Argentine spirit sapped

The yellow-carding of Jorge Lombi sapped what was left of Argentina's spirit, and they conceded a third goal nine minutes from time when Dad drove the ball home from the top of the circle.

With Pillay, Dad and Mukesh in irresistible form, the stage is set for a tantalising clash with Australia on Tuesday.

Australia have picked up two silver medals and two bronze from the last eight Olympics, and are desperate to shed their bridesmaid tag in front of their home crowd.



(c) Reuters Limited.