Shrugging off some indifferent form, India posted a 7-1 victory over Belgium in their second practice game in Cologne, Germany [Images], in the run-up to the hockey World Cup.

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

At half-time, the score was 2-1 in India's favour, the goals coming from Dilip and Ignace.

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

The victory notwithstanding, the Indians seemed to be missing drag-flick expert Sandeep Singh, who was injured in accidental gunfire last week, when the firearm of a policeman went off in the train he was traveling in.

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

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

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 play their first match against hosts Germany on September 9.

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