Hockey eves' Olympics dream shattered

Indian women’s hockey team Olympic qualifying campaign came to a catastrophic end with their dreams of making it to Beijing Olympics trampled as they faced their third successive defeat after going down 0-4 to USA in Kazan, Russia on Thursday.

The Indian women's hockey team will now take on France to salvage their pride in their final league match of the qualifiers on Saturday. India had earlier lost 1-2 to the Netherlands Antilles and 2-3 to Belgium after starting their Olympic qualifying crusade with a convincing 3-1 win over hosts Russia.

India could gain only three points from four matches and they still can’t be able to make it to the final even if it beats France. Only the triumphant team of the tournament is guaranteed of a Beijing berth.

Strong contender United States, unbeaten so far, are sitting pretty with 12 points and are ensured of a place in the final. Belgium and the Netherlands Antilles are likely to fight it out for second finalist spot while India is placed fourth.

The women team's upsetting show marks yet another low in Indian hockey as there will be no Indian side in this Olympic discipline for the first time since India's 1928 Olympic debut after the men's team too failed to make it for Beijing.