Former champions India and Britain recorded their second straight victories in the men's hockey Olympic qualifying tournament in Santiago, Chile.

Eight-time former champions India overcame early resistance before defeating unfancied Austria 7-3 in a second-round league game on Saturday.

Great Britain hammered Russia 8-0 in the six-team event. Hosts Chile, who lost to Austria, beat Mexico 4-0 for their first win.

India and Britain are expected to top the standings and clash in the final with the winners qualifying for the 12-team competition at the August 8-24 Beijing Olympics.

India have played in every Olympic hockey competition since 1928.

New Zealand beat Argentina in the final of the first qualifying tournament last month. The third is in Japan in April.

China, Netherlands, South Korea, Canada, South Africa, Spain, Belarus, Pakistan and Australia have also qualified.

Reuters