Dilpreet Singh’s Brace Secures India’s Fourth Continental Crown and 2026 World Cup Qualification
Rajgir, September 8 (Sports Desk)
The Indian men’s hockey team emerged as champions of the Asia Cup 2025, defeating South Korea 4-1 in the final at the Rajgir Sports Complex in Bihar on Sunday. This victory marked India’s fourth Asia Cup title and secured their qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 in the Netherlands and Belgium, ending an eight-year wait since their last triumph in Dhaka in 2017.
Dilpreet Singh (28′, 45′), Sukhjeet Singh (1′), and Amit Rohidas (50′) scored for India, while Son Dain (51′) netted South Korea’s lone goal.
India started strongly, with Sukhjeet Singh scoring just 30 seconds into the match, capitalizing on a fine assist from captain Harmanpreet Singh. Sukhjeet’s powerful tomahawk shot beat South Korean goalkeeper Jaehan Kim. The first quarter saw intense action, with India earning a penalty stroke after Mandeep Singh was fouled by a South Korean defender. However, Jugraj Singh’s flick was saved by Jaehan Kim.
In the second quarter, South Korea slowed India’s momentum, and Jugraj Singh received a green card. Despite this, young midfielder Rajinder Singh won India their first penalty corner in the 19th minute, though South Korea’s successful review overturned the decision. The deadlock was broken in the 28th minute when Dilpreet Singh scored, assisted by a long pass from Harmanpreet Singh and a lofted ball from Sanjay, finding the gap between Jaehan Kim’s legs to give India a 2-0 lead.
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After halftime, India played with 10 players briefly as Sanjay received a green card. Early in the third quarter, India won a penalty corner, but it was overturned after a review showed the ball hit Mandeep Singh’s shin first. Despite several attacking moves, India’s breakthrough came in the 45th minute when Dilpreet Singh scored again, following a clever pass from Harmanpreet Singh and a shot by Raj Kumar Pal.
In the final quarter, Dilpreet’s efforts led to a penalty corner, which Amit Rohidas converted. South Korea responded with a goal from Son Dain, who capitalized on a well-executed penalty corner variation involving Yang Jihun and Lee Jungjun. However, India maintained their dominance to secure a comfortable victory, claiming their fourth Asia Cup title.
