Rajgir, Bihar — September 7, 2025 — In a commanding display, India defeated South Korea 4–1 in the final of the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup, held at the Bihar Sports University Hockey Stadium in Rajgir, securing their fourth continental crown and a direct qualification for the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium .
Match Highlights
Immediate Impact: India soared to an early lead within the opening minute when Sukhjeet Singh struck a stunning tomahawk after a brilliant run by captain Harmanpreet Singh .
Doubling the Lead: The momentum continued as Dilpreet Singh doubled the lead just before half-time, showcasing clinical finishing that left Korea scrambling .
Sealing Victory: In the final quarter, Amit Rohidas added a third goal from a set-piece variation before South Korea pulled one back via a penalty-corner routine, tightening the contest briefly .
Crowning Moment: Rohidas, turning defender into hero, struck again with a low-drive field goal to restore a commanding 4–1 lead, sealing India’s victory and their World Cup berth .
What’s at Stake
Apart from lifting the Asia Cup trophy, India’s win grants them direct entry to the 2026 FIH World Cup, fulfilling one of the team’s biggest objectives of the tournament .
Context & Tournament Recap
The Asia Cup, held from 29 August to 7 September 2025, brought together eight teams in Rajgir, with India emerging as the host nation and eventual champion .
Earlier in the Super 4 stage, India had recorded a commanding 7–0 win over China, positioning them strongly ahead of the final .
The Super 4 campaign also included a 2–2 draw with South Korea and a 4–1 win against Malaysia, underlining that matches like those were instrumental in building momentum for the final showdown .
Historically, this was the fourth Asia Cup final between India and South Korea, after meetings in 1994, 2007, and 2013. Before this edition, Korea led with five titles, while India had won three
