Hockey: Indian women in Oly qualifying final

New Delhi: New Delhi: Indian women beat Italy 1-0 in a must-win encounter of the Olympic qualifying tournament for hockey on Friday here to reach the final against South Africa that will be played on Saturday.

Ritu Rani's final tap in a goal-mouth melee off a penalty corner in the 55th minute earned India victory against an Italian team that was evidently playing for a draw. The Italians, who needed just a draw to go through, played most of the game inside their half to deny space to the Indian forwards. However, it proved costly in the end for the visitors, who will now play the 3rd-4th place qualification match against Ukraine.

India were on the attack for most part but couldn't find a way through the Italian wall. That led to Indian girls losing possession on top of the Italian 25-yard line. Credit must be given to the Italian goalkeeper Lilliu Roberta who came up with at least 7-8 reflex saves, especially in the 9th minute off India's first penalty corner (PC).

India, however, were guilty of wasting five penalty corners before converting the sixth one in the 55th minute. The umpires consulted before awarding India the goal as Ritu's tap was off an aerial deflection. However, the goal stayed, giving India a 1-0 lead and sparking off celebrations in the crowd.

For the second day in a row, Hockey India sold tickets to students, players and hockey academies for Rs. 10 that has brought more people in, though still more than half of the ground was empty.

Indians were on the edge at the half-time hooter that went off at 0-0. But Indias' better attacking and Italy's overdefensive tactics in the second half proved decisive.

India will next play South Africa in the final, who are unbeaten in the tournament and had beaten the hosts 5-2 in the league fixture. So coach CR Kumar and his girls have to come up with a better strategy to stop South Afirca, who enter the final as favourites.

Earlier in the day, South Africa beat Canada 4-1 in an inconsequential match to finish on top of the table. Also Ukraine beat Poland 1-0 to finish fourth at the end of the round-robin stage. Those two results meant Canada and Poland will now play for the 5th-6th place.

The final on Saturday will begin at 8 p.m. (IST).