Favourites India overcame a stiff challenge from lower-ranked Canada to post a 3-2 win and virtually book a place in the men's final of the Olympic qualifying tournament in New Delhi on Wednesday.

South Africa faced no difficulty in moving into the women's final, thrashing India 5-2 for their third win in four matches.

In other men's matches, France had to work hard for a 3-0 win over lower-ranked Italy and Poland trounced inexperienced Singapore 11-3 to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the final.

India currently top the six-team group with 12 points from four matches, followed by Poland (nine), France (nine), Canada (six). Singapore and Italy, winless after four games, are out of contention.

France will clash with Canada and Poland take on India in the last league matches on Friday.

In other women's matches, Stephanie Jameson converted a penalty-stroke in the second half as Canada downed Poland 1-0 and Italy beat Ukraine 2-1.

South Africa lead the group with 10 points, followed by Italy (eight), India (seven), Ukraine (four), Canada (four) and Poland (nil). The winners of the India-Italy game on Friday will move into the final.

The top two teams in each event will enter the final, with the winners qualifying for the London Olympics.

India struck through Shivendra Singh and Sandeep Singh in the pacy encounter but never looked safe with their 2-0 lead as Canada came back strongly to restore parity, with Mark Pearson and Scott Tupper finding the target.

Sandeep scored the winner off a penalty-corner in the 61st minute.

"They (Canada) have played in the Olympics before and it was a very tough match. We had opportunities to score, but failed to make the most of them," said Sandeep.

"There was no pressure on me when I took the penalty-corner (that led to the winner)."

France, who drew a blank in the opening session against Italy, converted three penalty-corners in the second half through captain Arnaud Becuwe, Martin Genestet and Frederic Verrier to earn full points.

Szymon Oszyjczyk scored three goals and Mateusz Poltaszewski two for Poland against Singapore, while Miroslaw Juszczak, Tomasz Gorny, Bartosz Zywiczka, Artur Mikula, Waldemar Rataj and Michal Nowakowski scored one goal apiece.

Mohamad Farhan Kamsani scored two goals for Singapore and Muhammad Fazri Jailani one.

In the women's section, Italy kept alive their hopes of entering the final with a narrow win over Ukraine, thanks to Giuliana Ruggeri's winner off a penalty-corner in the closing minutes.

Alessia Doriana Padalino converted a penalty-corner in the fifth minute for Italy's first goal before Ukraine equalised through Bohdana Sadova.
South Africa dominated the match against India as Dirkie Chamberlain scored three goals and Sulette Damons two, while Asunta Lakra and Soundarya Yendala found the target for the hosts.

Thursday is the rest day.