India ended an eight-year drought to win the Asia Cup title, defeating Korea 4-1 in a dominant final in Rajgir on Sunday, September 7. With this win, India also booked their place in the 2026 World Cup.
Sukhjeet Singh opened the scoring inside the first minute, Dilpreet Singh struck twice, and Amit Rohidas sealed the result in the last quarter. This was India’s fourth Asia Cup crown, and it came with a sense of redemption after years of near misses.
India’s Perfect Response to Past Mistakes
Earlier in the tournament, India had let Korea come back after scoring first. But the final was a different story. The hosts learned from their mistakes and came out stronger, sharper, and calmer under pressure.
India stunned Korea early when Harmanpreet Singh dribbled past defenders to set up Sukhjeet, who smashed the ball into the top corner within 30 seconds. The Koreans tried to push back with heavy pressing, but India held their shape and stuck to basics.
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Dilpreet Singh Shines in the Final
India doubled their lead before half-time. Sanjay put up Dilpreet Singh for the second goal after Harmanpreet’s long pass found him. India had a commanding 3-0 lead as Dilpreet scored again in the 44th minute following a deft passing move.
In the last quarter, Amit Rohidas converted a penalty corner to make it 4-0. Korea did manage a late goal through Son Daein in the 51st minute, but it was too little, too late. India’s defence stayed strong in the final minutes to secure the trophy.
Simple Hockey, Big Results
India’s biggest strength in the final was its discipline. Despite Korea’s intense attack, they maintained their composure, had faith in their skills, and stayed out of trouble. The defense cleared the threat each time Korea pressed, and goalie Krishan Pathak made crucial saves.
The win showed that India can deliver under pressure by sticking to simple, effective hockey. It was not just a victory but a statement of intent ahead of the World Cup.
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Malaysia and Japan Shine in Playoffs
Earlier, Malaysia beat China 4-1 to claim third place, thanks to a brace from Akhimullah Anuar. Japan finished fifth after a 6-1 win over Bangladesh, with Ryosuke Shinohara scoring a hat-trick.
What This Title Means for India?
This victory was India’s first Asia Cup title since 2017 and their fourth overall. More importantly, it ensured direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The unbeaten run in the tournament also showed the progress of the team under pressure.
The Asia Cup win has boosted India’s confidence, and the players will now aim to carry this momentum into global tournaments.
