Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace as India got the better of plucky Ireland 2-0 in a Pool B match to seal a berth in the quarter-finals of the men's hockey tournament at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday.
The victory swelled India's points tally to seven from three matches while the defeat ousted Ireland from the quarter-final race.
In the day's other group matches, Argentina beat New Zealand 2-0 and Belgium trounced Australia 6-2.
Argentina’s victory over New Zealand confirmed India’s progress to the quarter-finals.
After Tuesday's match, Belgium have nine points while Australia six and Argentina four.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands drew 2-2 with Britain after conceding two late goals from forward Lee Morton, but are still atop Pool A.
The draw leaves world No. 2 Britain third on five points behind the Dutch with seven and second-placed Germany on six.
Germany bounced back to pummel South Africa 5-1, after an upset loss to Spain on Sunday.
Spain came back twice to secure a 3-3 draw against France after substitute Timothee Clement opened the scoring with two goals for the hosts, securing their first point in Pool A and keeping their quarter-final hopes alive.
India just about managed to scrape past New Zealand 3-2 before holding Argentina to a 1-1 draw in their previous two outings.
Most likely, Argentina and New Zealand will fight for the fourth spot in this Pool. The top four teams from each of the two pools qualify for the last eight,
Harmanpreet (13th and 19th minutes) struck once each in the first two quarters, while the second half remained goalless despite both teams earning plenty of penalty-corners.
Ireland were profligate, squandering 10 chances.
India earned their first penalty-corner as early as the second minute of the match when Abhishek made a move from the left and passed the ball to Sukhjeet Singh.
However, Harmanpreet's strike was blocked by an Ireland on-rusher. Even on rebound, there was a chance, but Mandeep Singh lost possession.
Harmanpreet created another chance by passing the ball to Sumit on the left flank but his reverse strike hit the post.
India did not have to wait long for their first goal. It came from a penalty stroke awarded to India in the 13th minute of the match. Gurjant intercepted the ball in between two Irish players and sent it towards Mandeep Singh.
A tackle by Shane O'Donoghue in front of the goalpost resulted in the umpire awarding a penalty stroke, which was converted by Harmanpreet.
India's captain doubled his side's lead by converting the fourth penalty-corner in the second quarter. This was after Ireland defenders blocked two consecutive attempts.
Clearly, India were dictating the play on the pitch but since the team stayed aggressive throughout, many balls were not cleared properly.
Ireland got their first penalty corner of the match on a debatable call by the umpire. A ball from Kyle Marshall touched Manpreet's body but he was standing outside the striking circle. The Indians, who did not have a referral left, protested but the penalty corner decision stayed.
India custodian P R Sreejesh blocked the shot to keep India's 2-0 lead intact.
Ireland played much better in the third quarter, earning as many as eight penalty corners but converted none. There were a few defensive lapses from the Indian side but they escaped without any damage.
A better opponent could have punished India for the mistakes.
Ireland earned two more penalty corners in the final quarter but they lacked finishing.
