It was a double delight for the Indian women’s hockey team as they edged out Korea 3-2 to sail into the Asia Cup final, which also assured them a berth in the 2010 World Cup in Argentina.

Jasjeet Kaur struck twice and Rani Ramphal also found the net to put India 3-0 ahead in the semifinal before the Koreans mounted waves of attacks and twice breached the defence to inject fresh drama in the match that, at one stage, had threatened to be a lop-sided affair.

In Sunday’s summit clash, India will lock horns with China, who beat Japan by a solitary goal scored by Zhou Yu Diao.

With today’s win at the Queen Sikirit sports Centre, the Indian eves qualified for the 2010 World Cup to be held in Rosario, Argentina.

After missing a one-to-one situation, Saba Anjum earned India’s first penalty corner and Jasjeet’s powerful drag-flick put India ahead in the eighth minute.

India could not make any further dent on the Korean defence but Jasjeet again scored a peach of a goal early in the second half to give India a 2-0 lead. Rani later latched on to a midfield pass to score an athletic goal and India were cruising at 3-0 in the 55th minutes.

To their credit, Korea did not throw in the towel.

Instead, struck twice to make a match of it.

The Indians survived some torrid moments as Korea forced two penalty corners at the stroke of hooter but the gritty Indian defence managed to thwart both to keep their lead intact.

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