Drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur scored a brace as India secured its place in the final round of Tokyo Olympic qualifiers by beating Chile 4-2 in the semi-finals of the women's FIH Series Finals hockey tournament in Hiroshima on Saturday.
Gurjit (22nd, 37th minutes) struck twice, while Navneet Kaur (31st) and skipper Rani Rampal (57th) were the other goal scorers for India.
Carolina Garcia (18th) and Manuela Urroz (43rd) scored the goals for Chile at the Hiroshima Hockey Stadium.
The hosts beat Russia 3-1 in penalty shoot-out in the other semifinal after both the teams were locked 1-1 at the end of regulation 60 minutes.
Chile also made four circle penetrations but failed to get a shot on target as the first quarter ended goalless.
But the Indian team was in for a surprise three minutes into the second quarter when Carolina scored a field goal through a counter-attack to seize the initiative.
A minute after the change of ends, India took the lead through striker Navneet, who picked up the ball from just outside the 25-yard circle, ran into the striking circle and slotted home with a powerful shot.
Six minutes later, India extended their lead through another penalty corner conversion by Gurjit.
Chile did not give up and earned two penalty corners in quick succession towards the dying stages of the third quarter but they failed to capitalise on their chances.
In the 43rd minute, though, a poor clearance from the Indian defence saw Chile regain possession and Urroz reduced the margin from a Denise Krimerman's feed.
After the match, India captain Rani dedicated the win to teammate Lalremsiami's father, who passed away on Friday.
Rani lauded the young striker for showing great courage in the face of adversity by staying with the team instead of returning home after listening about her father's death.
"We are happy that we are in the final. This game is all about winning but still we can do much better," added Rani.
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