India recorded a thumping 3-1 victory over China but were pipped by Korea for a berth in the final on goal difference in the Four Nation Hockey Tournament in Perth on Saturday.
India and Korea ended on four points each from one win, one draw and a loss but the east Asians made it to the final against league toppers Australia as they finished with a goal difference of plus two as against minus one for India.
India will play China, who garnered one point from three matches, again tomorrow in the third place match.
China began the match with a few fast-paced attacks which, however, did not result to any goal.
The Indians slowly found their touch and surged ahead in the 15th minute through Tushar Khandekar and maintained the lead till the breather.
After the change of ends, Indians were still dominating but their forwards muffed a few chances that came their way.
China equalised in the 50th minute through Hui Hu from a penalty corner but their joy was shortlived with S V Sunil scoring a field goal in the next minute.
Gurvinder Singh Chandi took the match beyond China's reach with a penalty corner conversion in the 66th minute.
However, India's hopes of a final berth were dashed after Korea ended with a better goal difference even though they lost to Australia 2-3 in the last round-robin league match.
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