LONDON, April 27: The United States beat Belgium 3-1 in the final of an Olympic women’s hockey qualifier on Sunday to book their place at the Beijing Games.

Kelly Doton opened the scoring for the United States in the 18th minute before Anne-Sophie van Regemortel equalised eight minutes later.

Tiffany Snow’s sixth goal of the tournament in Kazan, Russia, put the Americans 2-1 up at halftime and Kate Barber added a third midway through the second half.

The US were unbeaten in the pool games and beat Belgium 3-2 in their opening game. Belgium drew with Russia 0-0 in their final pool game to reach the final.

China, 2004 champions Germany, Argentina, Spain, South Africa, Netherlands, Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Japan had already qualified for the Aug 8-24 Games in Beijing.

The final qualifier is underway in Victoria, Canada, featuring Canada, Ireland, Italy, South Korea, Malaysia and Uruguay.—Reuters