The Delhi Waveriders scored a clinical 3-1 win over the Jaypee Punjab Warriors to set up the title clash against Ranchi Rhinos in the inaugural Hockey India League, in Ranchi on Saturday.
The Delhi outfit rode on goals from Andres Mir Bel (14th minute), Rupinder Pal Singh (32nd) and Lloyd Norris Jones (67th) to outclass the Warriors in the second semifinal at the Astroturf Hockey Stadium.
For the Punjab outfit, Jamie Dwyer scored the consolation goal in the 33rd minute.
The Warriors will now face Uttar Pradesh Wizards in the third-fourth place play-off match on Sunday.
Earlier, in the first semifinal, Mandeep Singh and Nick Wilson scored a brace each to help the Rhinos beat the Wizards 4-2.
The Rhinos scored through field goals from Mandeep (5th, 66th) and Wilson (32nd, 64th), while Nithin Thimmaiah (16th, 54th) was the goal-getter for the Wizards.
The second semifinal between the Waveriders and Warriors witnessed a slow start as both the teams took time to get off the block.
It was the Warriors who got the first penalty corner of the match 12th minute but it was turned down after Delhi made a successful referral appeal.
{{/usCountry}}It was the Warriors who got the first penalty corner of the match 12th minute but it was turned down after Delhi made a successful referral appeal.
{{/usCountry}}The Warriors conceded a penalty corner in the subsequent counter-attack and the Waveriders took full advantage to go up 1-0.
Andres scored an improvised goal from the set piece after he was beautifully set up by Rupinder's U-turn.
Had it not been for an alert Jacob Stockmann in the Warriors' goal, the Waveriders could have scored two more goals in the first quarter.
The Punjab side came out with more purpose in the second quarter and made a few inroads into the Delhi citadel but their forwards lacked finishing.
It was the Waveriders who doubled their lead in the 32nd minute when Rupinder scored from their third penalty corner with a fierce flick.