India in semis of Jr Women's Asia Cup hockey

India rallied from a goal down to beat Malaysia 2-1 in their final league match and make it to the semi-finals in the sixth Junior Women's Asia Cup Hockey Championship in Bangkok on Tuesday.

India finished second in Group A, behind China.

In a must-win match for India, the teams played out a goalless first half.

Norazlin Sumantri scored for Malaysia within a minute of resumption in the second half, but Anupa Barla (52nd minute) and skipper Ritu Rani, who converted a penalty-corner in the 65th minute, ensured that India reached the next stage.

India will face the winner of Group B -- either Korea or Japan -- in the semi-final, to be played on July 5.

Ten minutes after Malaysia took the lead, India started to dominate the proceedings. Anupa's strike capped a good pass by vice-captain and

Fellow-forward Poonam Rani, while Ritu Rani successfully converted a penalty-corner.

It was India's third victory in four matches. They had beaten Sri Lanka and Singapore in earlier games before losing to China.