PTI
 
Cologne (Germany), Aug 30: Shrugging off an indifferent form, India posted a 7-1 victory over Belgium in their second practice game here 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 the morale boosting win for India.

At half-time, the scoreline was 2-1 in India's favour, with goals 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, in Monchengladbach on September 2 before vying for honours in the showpiece quadrennial event.

The victory notwithstanding, the Indians seemed to be missing their drag flick expert Sandeep Singh who was injured in an accidental firing last week.

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

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

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 would play their first match against hosts Germany on September 9.