India Beats South Korea 8-1 to Reach Asian Champions Trophy Final
A dominant attacking display saw the Indian men’s hockey team cruise into the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 final after an 8-1 thrashing of South Korea. The semi-final clash took place on November 4 at the Olympic Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali, under an electric crowd that witnessed India’s complete control over the game.
India wasted no time in establishing superiority. Shilanand Lakda broke the deadlock in the fourth minute following a sharp passing sequence that ended with a tap-in. The visitors almost matched them immediately when Sangjun Han found the net in the ninth minute. But the hosts answered through captain Harmanpreet Singh, who unleashed a devastating drag flick from a penalty corner to restore the lead. Shilanand extended the advantage in the thirteenth minute by capitalizing on a rebound.
The intensity increased in the second period. Sukjeet Singh showcased his technical brilliance in the twenty-first minute, nutmegging a defender and finishing with a reverse flick. A few minutes later, a quick combination play between Angad Bir Singh and Dilpreet Singh yielded another goal. Dilpreet then added his second just four minutes later, stopping Harmanpreet’s aerial delivery and blowing past the keeper with a precise reverse flick.
After the interval, South Korea faced further complications when captain Kim Yong-bok was sin-binned for five minutes for an extra-player infringement. India maintained relentless pressure. Angad Bir Singh found the back of the net in the thirty-sixth minute to make it seven, finishing off a swift move from the right flank. The Korean defense held firm for a while but eventually crumbled in the final quarter. Despite a penalty corner miss from Park Gyu-woo, India sealed the victory in the fifty-fourth minute. Vivek Sagar Prasad picked up the ball on the right, drove into the circle, and finished with a composed reverse hit. Dilpreet Singh’s clinical finishing secured his selection as the match winner.
India advances to the title decider against Japan, having won every fixture in the league stage. The other semifinal concluded with Japan edging Malaysia 5-3 on penalties following a goalless draw. In the playoff for fifth place, China dominated Bangladesh with a 3-1 win to exit the tournament.