Rajgir,September 8 (HS):

India ended an eight-year wait for continental supremacy by outclassing defending champions South Korea 4-1 in the final of the Hero Asia Cup Men’s Hockey, held in Rajgir, Bihar, on Sunday. The emphatic victory not only restored India’s dominance in Asian hockey but also earned the team a direct qualification spot for the 2026 World Cup.

The hosts struck early through Sukhjeet Singh, who fired home just 31 seconds into play to record the fastest goal of the tournament. Dilpreet Singh added a brace in the 28th and 45th minutes, while Amit Rohidas’ penalty corner conversion in the 50th minute sealed the win. Korea’s Dain Son managed a consolation goal in the 51st, but India’s disciplined defence and clinical finishing left little scope for their rivals to stage a comeback.

Coach Craig Fulton’s men displayed tactical maturity, constantly switching flanks and rotating in midfield to neutralize Korea’s counterattacking game. While the match demanded grit more than flamboyance, India’s composure ensured a professional, decisive victory.

Earlier, Malaysia defeated China 4-1 to claim third place, while Japan thrashed Bangladesh 6-1 in the 5-6 playoff.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team, hailing the win as a proud moment for Indian hockey. He wrote, “Congratulations to our Men’s Hockey Team for their splendid win in the Asia Cup 2025 held in Rajgir, Bihar. This win is even more special because they have defeated the defending champions, South Korea! This is a proud moment for Indian hockey and Indian sports. May our players continue to scale even greater heights and bring more glory to the nation!”

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar