India's hockey team qualified for London Olympics

Indian hockey team qualified for London Olympics 2012 which is scheduled to be held later this year.India displayed an impressive hockey to beat France 8-1 in the final of the Olympics qualifier final and secured a place in the mega event in London. Sandeep Singh scored five goals in the packed Dhyan Chand stadium in New Delhi on Saturday. The failure to qualify for 2008 Beijing Olympics still fresh in mind, the Indian hockey team avoided a repeat of the debacle and gave the dying national sport a new lease of life. India, with a record eight Olympic men's titles, suffered a setback four years ago when they failed to make it to the Olympics for the first time in 80 years.
Ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh scored five goals to almost single-handedly put India in the 2012 London Olympics. Raghunath extended India's lead to 8-1 in the 56th minute with another goal through penalty corners. India had a field day during penalty corners as they converted six out of seven into goals - five by Sandeep Singh alone. Sandeep carried his good run to the summit clash as he scored his fifth and fourth goals in quick succession (49th and 51st). Sunil scored India's fifth goal in the 43rd minute after Sandeep completed his hat-trick in the 38th minute soon after the lemon-break. Sandeep scored hat-trick through penalty corners to lead the Indian attack. India opened their goal account with Birendra Lakra's first goal of the tournament in the 17th minute.

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