Cape Town, January 22

Skipper Harmanpreet scored a brace as the Indian men’s hockey team thrashed France 4-0 to begin its campaign in the Four-Nation Tournament on a rousing note here today.

Harmanpreet (13th, 26th minutes) converted two penalty corners while Lalit Upadhyay (42nd) and vice-captain Hardik Singh (49) were the other goal-getters for India.

India will face France again on Wednesday, followed by a match against hosts South Africa on Friday and then against Netherlands on Sunday.

India placed in tough pool

Lausanne: India have been placed in a tough Pool B at this year’s Paris Games. India have been clubbed with reigning champions Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and Ireland.

Pool A consists of Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, France and South Africa. In the women’s section, reigning champions Netherlands are placed in Pool A with Belgium, Germany, Japan, China and France, while Pool B comprises Australia, Argentina, Great Britain, Spain, USA and South Africa.