India Crowned Asia Cup Hockey Champions After Dominating South Korea, Secure World Cup Berth

NEW DELHI: India produced a commanding performance to outclass defending champions South Korea 4-1 in the men’s Asia Cup hockey final in Rajgir, Bihar, clinching their fourth continental crown and sealing direct qualification for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!In front of a packed crowd at the newly built Rajgir Sports Complex, the hosts justified their billing as favourites, having entered the tournament as the highest-ranked team. Goals from Sukhjeet Singh, Amit Rohidas, and a brace from Dilpreet Singh powered the victory, while Korea managed only a late consolation through Dain Son.As it happened: India vs Korea, Asia Cup FinalThis was India’s first Asia Cup title since 2017, ending an eight-year wait and reaffirming their dominance in Asian hockey. With four titles now, India have become the second-most successful team in the competition, behind five-time winners South Korea.Forward Dilpreet Singh, adjudged Player of the Match, was at the heart of India’s attacking brilliance. “Feel very good. It had been eight years since we won the Asia Cup. Our main target was to win it and then qualify for the World Cup,” he said after the win.Reflecting on India’s strategy, he added: “From day one, our main goal was to take a shot, convert it into a PC when entering the circle. Today that worked out perfectly for us.”India struck inside the first 30 seconds when captain Harmanpreet Singh’s dazzling stick-work created space for Sukhjeet, who unleashed a reverse hit into the top corner. Dilpreet doubled the lead in the 28th minute, neatly finishing after an aerial ball from Harmanpreet was worked into the circle.The third quarter saw India maintain their momentum. A clever deflection from Dilpreet in the 45th minute made it 3-0, before Amit Rohidas converted a penalty corner five minutes later to give India a commanding 4-0 cushion.Korea, who had been largely defensive, finally got on the board in the 51st minute when Dain Son converted a penalty corner. But their late push failed to trouble a resolute Indian defence.India had last lifted the Asia Cup in 2017 in Dhaka, following earlier triumphs in 2003 (Kuala Lumpur) and 2007 (Chennai). Since their group-stage draw against Korea earlier in this tournament, the Men in Blue raised their intensity, dominating opponents with fluid attacking play and rock-solid defending.The victory also secured India’s berth at next year’s FIH World Cup, to be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from August 14 to 30, 2026.Malaysia and Japan shine in classification matchesIn the bronze medal playoff, world No. 12 Malaysia outclassed China 3-0. Akhimullah Anuar, the tournament’s top scorer with 12 goals, struck twice, while Norsyafiq Sumantri and Syed Cholan also found the net. China managed a solitary strike through Jiesheng Gao.World No. 18 Japan clinched fifth place after hammering Bangladesh 6-1. Ryosuke Shinohara netted a hat-trick, with Koji Yamasaki, Ken Nagayoshi, and Seren Tanaka also on target. Amirul Islam scored Bangladesh’s lone goal.