Great Britain extended their lead in the 47th minute when a defensive blunder gave away a penalty stroke which Helen Richardson-Walsh slotted past Rutherford.
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Her team face the Netherlands in Friday’s final looking to follow Sean Kerly’s side, the champions in Seoul.
The three-time Hockey World Cup winners overcame Germany 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw earlier today.
Britain beat New Zealand 3-0 in women’s hockey on Wednesday, with two late penalty goals securing victory in a tense, close-fought clash and a place in the Olympic final against the mighty Netherlands.
“I think it will be a tight, cagey affair”. “What an outstanding game that was and now we’re going to the final”.
The New Zealand goalkeeper got down smartly saving an original penalty corner move, but Danson was on hand to get enough on the ball to score.
Asha Philip, Desiree Henry, Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita came home third in the final behind the victorious United States and silver medallists Jamaica.
First, Kayla Whitelock brought down Helen Richardson-Walsh and was yellow carded.
“I always knew in the back of my mind that I could do it”.
After seeing off Spain in the last eight, Britain faced the challenge of New Zealand – ranked fourth in the world – in the semi-finals.
Earlier on Friday evening, Great Britain’s Nick Skelton won a gold medal on Big Star in the individual showjumping.
He said: “That makes us the most successful GB women’s team ever at an Olympics”.
And while Holland will be exceptionally tough opponents, having claimed two Olympic titles in a row and not lost at a Games since Athens 12 years ago, Britain are ready to grasp the moment in Deodoro. Eighth in Sydney in 2000 and from that moment both myself and Kate just wanted to win a gold at an Olympics.
“We played them in Holland this year in a practice match and also won so we have a little bit of history”.
The lead didn’t last long, however, with the Netherlands profiting from sloppy play from Kate Richardson-Walsh up field to steal the ball, run clear before Kitty van Male rounded Hinch to fire an equaliser into the roof of the net.
“I’m so proud to be British”.
The nature of Team GB’s win had viewers on the edge of their seats and, judging by the reaction across households in the United Kingdom, the girls might have just inspired a new generation.
“We can’t go into the New Zealand game thinking emotionally”.
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The 28-year-old Hinch had a superb tournament coming to GB’s aid on plenty of occasions, but when it really mattered she produced her best, and speaking about performance, a jubilant Hinch said: “Goalkeeping has its highs and lows”. Nobody else had challenged them until Germany in the semifinals, who took the team to a sudden death shootout.
