Indian eves start on winning note

India began its campaign in the women's World Cup hockey qualifier on a winning note, beating Uruguay 2-0 in the opening match of the tournament at Abbeville, France, on Monday morning.

Two goals in a spell of three minutes in the first half sufficed for the Indians to pick full points from the Pool A fixture.

Sita Gussain scored first goal in the 19th minute and then Jyoti Sunita Kullu increased the lead two minutes later.

In other matches in Pool A, the Ukraine came from behind to get the better of Kazakhstan 6-4 while England proved too good for France, winning 4-0 in the last match of the day.

Pool A includes England, France, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Uruguay while Belgium, Canada, Japan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Russia and Scotland make up Pool B.

The tournament ends on September 30.