Thursday, August 31 2006 11:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Cologne: Shrugging off an indifferent form, India posts a 7-1 victory over Belgium in their second practice game here in the run up to the hockey World Cup.

Skipper Dilip Tirkey converts a penalty corner in each half while Ignace Tirkey, Shivendra Singh, Tushar Khandekar, Gagan Ajit Singh and Hari Prasad sound the board once each to earn the morale-boosting win for India.

At half time, the scoreline is 2-1 in India's favour, with goals from Dilip and Ignace.

India, who had lost their first practice match to Belgium 1-3 on Monday (28 Aug, 2006), are slated to play another practice game, against Japan, in Monchengladbach on September 2 before vying for honours in the showpiece quadrennial event.

The victory notwithstanding, the Indians seem to be missing their drag flick expert Sandeep Singh who is injured in an accidental firing last week.

India's assistant coach Harendra Singh says the team is likely to pick a substitute for Sandeep by September 1.

"We are looking forward to do well in the match against Japan. Also, we are likely to pick Sandeep's replacement by September 1," he tells sources.

The Indian Hockey Federation has selected three players, R Raghunath, Vikramjit Singh and Jugraj Singh, one of whom will substitute Sandeep in the tournament, beginning on September 7. India will play their first match against hosts Germany on September 9.