Hockey

Belgium set up an intriguing men's Olympic hockey final against Argentina after they dumped out the world's second-ranked team the Netherlands with a resounding 3-1 semi-final victory on Tuesday.

The mixed doubles tennis pair of Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna also reached the quarterfinals, but Deepika Kumari and Bombayla Devi's defeat in the individual event ended the archery campaign for Indian women at the Rio Olympics.

India will begin their Olympic campaign on August 6 against Ireland, labelled as the minnows in the competition.

The Indian men's hockey team departed for Madrid in the early hours of Sunday where they will play two friendly matches against Spain before heading for the Rio Olympics.

The ghats of his hometown Benares he loved so much and the hockey fields he frequently visited will feel silence of his absence forever. The game has certainly been left poorer with his loss.

The 1980 Olympic gold medallist is being treated at the Medanta Hospital in Gurugram for a liver ailment as the Sports Ministry and his employer Indian Railways announced that they will take care of all his expenses.

India played out a 1-1 draw in their final match of the Six Nations Invitational hockey tournament on Sunday.

It was only through sheer destiny that the telecast of the show coincided with a historic moment as India won a silver medal at the Champions Trophy - their best show in the tournament.

After the 60 minutes of regulation play remained goalless in the final, Australian goalkeeper Lovell denied Uthappa, Sunil and Surender in the penalty shoot-out to drive Australia to their 14th Champions Trophy title.

India's hopes of qualifying for the title clash hung in balance as they succumbed 2-4 to world champions Australia in their last league outing of the 36th Hero Champions Trophy Hockey on Thursday.

“Doing well against each of these teams is important for us as it will show where we stand in the lead-up to the Olympics. It will give us an opportunity to test the latest weapons (tactics) we have been working on in the camp,” Sardar said.

Pleased with India's show, coach Roelant Oltmans also said it could have been a bigger scoreline.

Indian hockey team coach Oltmans expressed his displeasure at the careless manner in which goalkeeeper Harjot padded a ball outside the circle to concede a penalty corner to Canada in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament on Sunday.

India have picked a squad with many young players from the core group as coach Roelant Oltmans is eager to test their ability and match temperament before he decides on the team for the Olympic Games in August.

An positive start to their Rio Olympics preparation would be key on their agenda when the Indian women's hockey team launches its campaign in the the Hawke's Bay Cup in Hastings, New Zealand on April 2.

The camp for the senior team is scheduled to conclude on April 8 while the junior camp is slated to end on April 2.