•   Monday, 08 Sep, 2025
Asia Cup trophy World Cup India men hockey team lifts trophy Indian Men's hockey team

Asia Cup Hockey: India men's team defeats South Korea by 4-1; qualifies for 2026 World Cup

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  Poonam Nath

Asia Cup Hockey: India men's team defeats South Korea by 4-1; qualifies for 2026 World Cup

Digital Desk: A proud and joyous moment for India, 8 years of wait and finally the Indian Men's hockey team lifted the Asia Cup trophy and made their way by qualifying for the next year’s World Cup by defeating South Korea 4-1 on the scoreboard.

The big win over China the day before may have raised public expectations; however, coach Craig Fulton insisted his team will play the game, not the occasion, be clinical, and improve in certain areas.

Sukhjeet received Harmanpreet's ball on the dotted line and sent a reverse shot into the Korean goal 31 seconds into the game, India's fastest goal of the competition.

Chances were produced via clinical accuracy, not brute superiority. Another aerial pass from Harmanpreet in the 28th minute, superbly pulled down by Sanjay inside the circle, saw Dilpreet make it 2-0 at the break.

India has regained its rightful title as Asia's top team.

"This is a proud moment for Indian hockey and Indian sports," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday, September 7, 2025, after congratulating the Indian men's hockey team on winning the Asia Cup 2025 in Rajgir, Bihar.

After winning four titles, India is now the second-most successful Asia Cup team, behind five-time winners Korea.