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With four titles, India has become the second-most successful team in the Asia Cup, behind five-time champions Korea.
India have qualified for the 2026 World Cup (Picture credit: Hockey India)
Forward Dilpreet Singh scored twice as a dominant India beat defending champions South Korea 4-1 to win the men’s Asia Cup hockey tournament after an eight-year hiatus and qualify for next year’s FIH World Cup on Sunday, September 7.
With four titles, India has become the second-most successful team in the Asia Cup, behind five-time champions Korea.
India last won the title in 2017 in Dhaka, following victories in the 2003 (Kuala Lumpur) and 2007 (Chennai) editions of the continental tournament.
The title ensured India’s direct entry into next year’s FIH World Cup, jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from August 14 to 30.
Dilpreet (28th, 45th minutes) and Sukhjeet Singh (1st) scored field goals, while Amit Rohidas (50th) converted a penalty corner at the Rajgir Sports Complex.
Korea’s lone goal was scored by Dain Son in the 51st minute.
India was determined from the start, displaying excellent coordination between the defence, midfield, and forward line, frequently penetrating the rival circle.
The Koreans preferred to defend, which was not ideal against the attacking home side.
The Koreans hardly created any real scoring chances in the first two quarters as the Indian defence stood tall.
India opened the scoring within the first 30 seconds through Sukhjeet. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh’s brilliant stick-work from the left flank set it up for Sukhjeet, who found the top-left corner of the Korean goal with a reverse hit.
Dilpreet Singh nearly scored in the eighth minute, but his deflection off Vivek Sagar Prasad’s pass was saved by Korean goalkeeper Jaehan Kim.
On the next move, India earned a penalty stroke, but Jugraj Singh’s try was saved by Kim.
India continued their relentless attacking, keeping the Korean defence under tremendous pressure.
An inch-perfect aerial ball from Harmanpreet found Sanjay on the left corner, who passed it to Dilpreet inside the circle. Dilpreet put the ball into the goal, giving India a 2-0 lead at half-time.
Korea’s first real chance came in the 40th minute with back-to-back penalty corners, but the Indian defence stood rock solid.
India secured their first penalty corner in the 44th minute, but Harmanpreet’s try was blocked by the first rusher.
At the stroke of the third quarter, India made it 3-0 through Dilpreet. Harmanpreet’s free hit from 23 yards found Raj Kumar Pal, who guided the ball towards Dilpreet, and the striker made no mistake with a neat deflection.
Five minutes later, India secured their second penalty corner, and Rohidas found the net with a fierce grounded hit, giving the hosts a comfortable 4-0 lead.
A minute later, Korea pulled one back through a penalty-corner conversion from Son.
In the 56th minute, Korea got their fourth penalty corner but failed to breach the resolute Indian defence.
Rajgir, India, India
September 07, 2025, 21:23 is
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