India beat Canada 3-2 in Olympic qualifying hockey

NEW DELHI: Favourites India overcame a stiff challenge from lower-ranked Canada to post a 3-2 win and virtually book a place in the men's final of the Olympic qualifying tournament in New Delhi on Wednesday.

India struck through Shivendra Singh and Sandeep Singh in the pacy encounter but never looked safe with their 2-0 lead as Canada came back strongly to restore parity, with Mark Pearson and Scott Tupper finding the target.

Sandeep scored the winner off a penalty-corner in the 61st minute.

France, who drew a blank in the opening session against Italy, converted three penalty-corners in the second half through captain Arnaud Becuwe, Martin Genestet and Frederic Verrier to earn full points.

Szymon Oszyjczyk scored three goals and Mateusz Poltaszewski two for Poland against Singapore, while Miroslaw Juszczak, Tomasz Gorny, Bartosz Zywiczka, Artur Mikula, Waldemar Rataj and Michal Nowakowski scored one goal apiece.

Mohamad Farhan Kamsani scored two goals for Singapore and Muhammad Fazri Jailani one.

In other men's matches, France had to work hard for a 3-0 win over lower-ranked Italy and Poland trounced inexperienced Singapore 11-3 to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the final.

India currently top the six-team group with 12 points from four matches, followed by Poland (nine), France (nine), Canada (six). Singapore and Italy, winless after four games, are out of contention.

France will clash with Canada and Poland take on India in the last league matches on Friday.