India thrash Belgium Jr WC hockey play-off

India continued their goal-scoring spree and thrashed Belgium 4-0 in their second Group G play-off match for 9 to 16 positions in the FIH Junior Men's Hockey World Cup in Singapore on Monday.

Captain Diwakar Ram (25 minute), Mohammad Amir Khan (27th), Victo Singh (40th) and Jay Karan (59th) scored a goal each to ensure the facile win for India at the Seng Kang Sports Complex.

With two successive wins in as many matches, India now top Pool G with six points and are certain to play-off for 9-10 positions.

They next take on England in their last pool fixture on Wednesday.

For the second day on the trot, the Indians played a well-controlled match with well measured accurate passes and good counter attacks.

However, India squandered three early opportunities to take the lead with an alert Belgian defence bringing off goalline saves from the attempts of the forward line trio of Mandeep Antil, Victo and Danish Mujtaba.

The Indian colts finally broke the ice in the 25th minute when Diwakar's powerful drag-flick found the top left corner of the Belgian goal as custodian Jeremy Gucassoff stood like a silent spectator.

Two minutes later Amir Khan doubled the scoreline, deflecting home from a Mujtaba cross from the right flank.

Towards the end of the first session, Belgium earned three penalty-corners but on all the three occasions a vigilant Mrinal Choubey, under the bar, foiled their attempts to see India go into the breather with a 2-0 lead.

Five minutes after resumption of play, India increased their tally when Victo trapped a hard centre from Antil and pushed past Belgian goalkeeper Gucassoff.

Thereafter, the Indians made rapid substitutions in their forward line and accelerated in the last quarter.

An electric Jay Karan and Danish Mujtaba move in tandem gave India its fourth goal with the former getting the final touch in the 59th minute.