The home side, after early problems when they had to weather a couple of Indian attacks, came back strongly to polish off the challenge. After crossing over with a 3-0 lead, the Dutch struck twice more through Carol Patte and Hannekke Smabers.

India had begun well enough to force a penalty corner in the early minutes and Jyoti Sunita Kullu almost scoring. But the Dutch gradually gained control and after Ageeth Boomgaardt put them ahead from a penalty corner, the home team, backed by a capacity crowd of nearly 15,000, went all out.

Julie Dieters made it 2-0 in the 27th with a penalty corner goal and Carole Thate came tood with a penalty stroke and the Dutch crossed over with a 3-0 advantage. The Indians had their moments in the sun, as it were, but their inability to get the passesright inside the rival 25-yard area saw them concede ball possession rather tamely.

OTHER RESULTS GROUP A: Scotland bt China 2-1 (half-time 1-1). South Africa bt USA 2-1 (half-time 1-0).