India drub France 6-0 in second hockey Test, clinch series

By IANS,

New Delhi : In-form dragflicker Sandeep Singh converted three penalty corners as India pummelled France 6-0 in the second hockey Test and clinched the three-match series at the French National Institute of Sports and Physical Education (INSEP) in Paris.


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India will play the third and last final Test Wednesday before leaving for Holland for the last leg of their European tour.

Sandeep scored in the 12th, 37th and 47th minute, with captain Rajpal Singh (39th), Mohd. Amir Khan (55th) and Hari Prasad (58th) the other scorers Monday.

India, who scraped past the French 4-3 in the first Test Sunday, dominated from the start with superb ball control and possession.

Sandeep was quick to put India ahead early and the visitors ended the first-half leading 1-0.

Sandeep increased the lead soon after the break sinking one past France goalkeeper Matthias Dierckens after Gurbaj Singh, Ravi Pal and Dharamvir Singh had done the spadework.

An unmarked Rajpal made it 3-0 after being set up by Vikas Pillay.

Sandeep added to the French misery when he shot home his third goal after Hari Prasad was obstructed by skipper Francois Scheefer. Amir, with a deft reverse deflection after combining in a swift counter attack with Bharat Chikara, soon made it 5-0.

India wrapped up their goal burst three minutes later when Hari Prasad struck the sixth goal with Khandker, Pillay and Danish Mujtaba ripping the French defence.

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