Britain head to Beijing

Great Britain beat India 2-0 in the final of the 2008 Olympics Qualifier in Chile to book their place in Beijing where they can cough and choke their way to polluted Olympic glory.

The 2-0 result did not reflect the gap between two similarly ranked sides. It meant India failed to qualify for the first time since they joined Olympics hockey in 1928, and their coach Joaquim Carvalho resigned yesterday after less than a year in the job. Narendra Batra, the Indian Hockey Confederation's vice-president, also quit.

If the British attackers had converted several well-worked chances that followed two early goals by Barry Middleton and Richard Mantell, the hit-and-hope Indians would have faced humiliation by half-time. Middleton, enjoying his most effective game, pounced on Ashley Jackson's cross in the fourth minute with India's defence dozing, and in the 10th minute, Mantell drag-flicked home the first penalty corner.

Matt Daly, Simon Mantell and Rob Moore miscued golden chances, and in the second half Jonty Clarke hit a post. Even the predatory Prabjhot Singh, perhaps the week's best player, cut a forlorn figure, deprived of possession. India's penalty corners were either bungled or dealt with by Alistair McGregor.

Click here to read more courtesy of The Daily Telegraph