Moqi: Drag-flick specialist Supriya produced a dominant performance as defending champions India reached the final of the AHF Junior Asia Cup with a convincing 5-1 victory over South Korea in the first semi-final on Saturday.

Supriya starred for the Indian side, completing a hat-trick via three clinical penalty-corner conversions to confirm her team's spot in the summit clash.

India will face the winner of the second semi-final between hosts China and Japan in the final.

Both sides adopted a cautious approach during a cagey opening phase as the pressure of the knockout tie was evident.

India steadily settled into their rhythm, creating attacking opportunities before breaking the deadlock in the 13th minute. A well-constructed move culminated with Madhu Sidar applying the final touch to put India 1-0 ahead.

The opening goal handed India momentum, allowing them to dictate play in the second quarter with frequent penetrations into the Korean circle. Their sustained pressure resulted in a 17th-minute penalty corner, which Supriya converted with a precise drag-flick to double the lead.

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Maintaining control over possession and territory, India extended their lead further in the 21st minute. A long aerial pass into the Korean 23-metre zone found an Indian winger, whose accurate cross was turned in by Sukhveer Kaur to make it 3-0.

South Korea generated brief chances before the interval, but India's defensive unit held firm to preserve a three-goal lead at half-time.

India maintained their tempo after the restart and added a fourth goal in the 33rd minute. Presented with another penalty corner opportunity, Supriya executed another powerful drag-flick to score her second goal of the match and make it 4-0.

Faced with a four-goal deficit, South Korea pushed forward and managed to pull a goal back in the 41st minute, with Yuri Jeong converting a set-piece to make it 4-1.

India maintained defensive discipline during the final quarter, preventing South Korea from launching a sustained comeback.

The defending champions continued to threaten on the counter-attack and capped their performance in the 56th minute after winning another penalty corner. Supriya converted once again to complete her hat-trick and round off a 5-1 win.

PTI