India's men and women took giant steps towards securing a place at Tokyo 2020 after they won the first leg of their respective International Hockey Federation Olympic qualifiers in Bhubaneswar.
The Indian women's team thrashed the United States 5-1, while the men beat Russia 4-2 at Kalinga Stadium.
Both sides will take a commanding advantage into the second legs, at the same venue tomorrow.
Lilima Minz gave India's women the lead against the US just before halftime with a goal against the run of play.
The US were the better team in the first two quarters, but could not capitalise and were made to pay when Minz converted a penalty corner.
India took control after the restart as two goals from Gurjut Kaur, and one each from Sharmila Devi and Navneet Kaur, put the hosts 5-0 up.
#RoadToTokyo #GiftOfHockey #Tokyo2020 @TheHockeyIndia v @fieldhockey_rus pic.twitter.com/LjYwfUanDn
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) November 1, 2019
Erin Matson scored a late consolation for the visitors, who have it all to do if they are to deny India a spot at Tokyo 2020.
In the men's tie, Harmanpreet Singh gave India the lead with a penalty stroke before Andrey Kuraev equalised for Russia shortly after.
India went ahead again through Mandeep Singh, leaving India 2-1 up at the break.
SV Sunil and Singh made it 4-1 to the hosts, but Semen Matkovskiy gave Russia hope with his side's second in the dying stages of the match.
Eight games - including the second legs of India's ties - are due to be held across the men's and women's qualifiers tomorrow.
