Rajgir, September 7, 2025: The Indian Men’s Hockey Team triumphed in the Hockey Asia Cup 2025, defeating defending champions South Korea 4-1 in the final at Rajgir Hockey Stadium, Bihar, on September 7, 2025. This victory marks India’s fourth Asia Cup title (2003, 2007, 2017, 2025) and earns them a direct qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Under the leadership of captain Harmanpreet Singh, India showcased a dominant performance. Sukhjeet Singh scored within the first 30 seconds, followed by Dilpreet Singh’s brace in the 28th and 45th minutes, and Amit Rohidas’s goal in the 50th minute. South Korea’s lone goal came from Dain Son in the 51st minute, but India’s robust defense and clinical attack sealed the win.
Goal Timeline
| Time | Scorer | Team | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0:30 | Sukhjeet Singh | India | Field Goal |
| 28:00 | Dilpreet Singh | India | Field Goal |
| 45:00 | Dilpreet Singh | India | Penalty Corner |
| 50:00 | Amit Rohidas | India | Penalty Corner |
| 51:00 | Dain Son | South Korea | Field Goal |
India’s campaign was marked by consistent performances, addressing a key concern highlighted by head coach Craig Fulton. After their 7-0 rout of China in the Super 4s, Fulton told PTI, “Always the hardest thing in sport is back-to-back matches. We got to repeat our performance. But at the same time, the guys are in a good place, they are playing well, and they are playing for each other, which is more important than anything else.” He emphasized the need for clinical execution, adding, “The hardest part was getting here, and now we need to just play the match and not the occasion, but you need to think about tomorrow. You need to be clinical.”
India’s journey included topping Pool A with victories over China (4-3), Japan (3-2), and Kazakhstan (15-0), followed by a 2-2 draw against South Korea and a 4-1 win over Malaysia in the Super 4s. Their commanding performance against China secured their final berth.
The victory, India’s first Asia Cup title in eight years, was celebrated by fans nationwide, with the team’s teamwork and consistency earning praise.