The Indian Men’s Hockey Team clinched their 4th Asia Cup Title after beating South Korea 4-1 in the final on Sunday. India ended their 8-year pursuit of the continental champion title, winning against the defending champions in front of the home crowd in Rajgir, Bihar. With this victory, India qualifies for the 2026 Men’s Hockey World Cup, which will be held in Belgium and the Netherlands.
India in the 2025 Asia Cup
India remains unbeaten throughout the tournament, winning five matches along with a draw. They won all three of their Pool A matches against China, Japan, and Kazakhstan. In the Super 4s, they beat Malaysia and China 4-1 and 7-0 respectively after playing out a 2-2 draw against South Korea.
India enjoyed a strong start in the final, as Sukhjeet Singh found the back of the Korean goal within 31 seconds. They were clinical in front of goal, a brace from Dilpreet Singh and another goal from Amit Rohidas was enough to silence Dain Son’s goal in the 51st minute.
India’s Previous Victories in the Asia Cup
India’s 4-1 victory over South Korea earned them their 4th Hockey Asia Cup title. India stands as one of the most consistent sides in the tournament, having played in 8 of the 11 finals so far. South Korea, on the other hand, has won the tournament five times in 1994, 1999, 2009, 2013, and 2022.
India first won the tournament in 2003, in Kuala Lumpur against Pakistan. Their 2007 glory was a very dominant one, defeating South Korea a whopping 7-2 in the final. The team’s most recent title in the tournament was in 2017, narrowly defeating Malaysia in the final.
- India 4-2 Pakistan, Kuala Lumpur, 2003
- India 7-2 South Korea, Chennai, 2007
- India 2-1 Malaysia, Dhaka, 2017
- India 4-1 South Korea, Rajgir, 2025
Conclusion
India’s 4-1 victory over the defending champions, South Korea, stands as a proud moment for the nation and Indian hockey. The players are set to scale new heights and will aim to bring more glory to the nation.
This eventful performance is more than just a victory lap, earning India a spot in the Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026, taking place in the Netherlands and Belgium from August 14-30, 2026.
Written by: Thillai Ritvik
