PHOTOS: Indian men, eves remain on track for London 2012

Having missed out on qualifying for the Beijing Olympics, the Indian hockey team remained on course for the London Games with clinical performances last week.

The hockey team's failure to make it to the Chinese capital four years back marked the first time in history that they didn't play at the biggest sporting event. 

However, the team is on track to ensure such a humiliation won't happen again.

In their opening match of their qualifiers in New Delhi the hosts drubbed Singapore 14-1.

Photographs: FIH / Stanislas Brochier

India's second match against Italy was also expected to be a high-scoring affair and it turned out to be one as the home team toyed with the Italian defence in the opening half to pump in as many as six goals as against the visitor's one.

However, the second half turned out to be a dampener for the Indians as they could manage just two goals even though they penetrated the Italian defence continuously.

The hosts predictably walloped the minnows 8-1 in a one-sided match.

The most heartening thing that came out for India from Sunday's match was their penalty corner conversion rate.

Michael Nobbs wards converted four out of the five penalty corners they earned in the match with Sandeep Singh (4th minute, 22nd, 23rd) alone striking three goals.

With this win, India are currently at the top of men's pool with six points from two outings. Even though France has same points as India, they occupy a close second position because of their inferior goal difference.

India will next play France on Tuesday after a rest day on Monday, while the Italians will be up against Poland.

Meanwhile, the Indian eves dished out a dominating performance to notch up a convincing 4-1 victory over Canada in their second match on Sunday.

came out all guns blazing with Soundarya Yendala (16th minute), Rani Rampal (19th), Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam (29th) and Anuradha Devi Thokchom (49th) sounding the board.

The world number 20th team, Canada, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Italy on Saturday couldn't make much penetration and failed to pose much threat to the Indians even though they managed to score a solitary goal in the dying moments through Hannah Haughn (69th).

With this win, India earned three points to lie in the second position along with Italy in the pool. India had bagged one point on Saturday.

The Indian women had been held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Ukraine in their opener. 

The hosts looked rusty in the first half and conceded the lead in the 26th minute.

Soundarya Yendala helped draw level in the 42nd minute before India had a goal disallowed. 

India will next take on 28th ranked Poland on Tuesday.