India outplayed reigning Asian Games champion Japan 7-2 to storm into the summit clash of the FIH Series Finals hockey tournament in Bhubaneswar on Friday, assuring themselves a place in the year end’s Olympic qualifying event.

Returning to the side after a long injury lay-off, Ramadeep Singh (23rd, 37th minutes) finally got his mojo back with a double strike, while Harmanpreet Singh (7th), Varun Kumar (14th), Hardik Singh, Gursahibjit Singh (43rd) and Vivek Sagar Prasad (47) also registered their name on the score sheet.

Japan’s goals were scored by Kenji Kitazato (2nd) and Kota Watanabe .India will face South Africa in Saturday’s final while Japan will square off against USA in the third-fourth place play-off match.