On Sunday, September 7, India defeated South Korea by 4-1 in the final of the Asia Cup 2025 men’s hockey tournament, to win the coveted title for the fourth time in their history at the Bihar Sports University
Hockey Stadium in Rajgir, finding themselves just one behind their opponents in the all-time list. In their eight appearance in the final of the Asia Cup in its 12th edition, India dominated South Korea from start to finish, scoring a goal in each of the four quarters.
In the early stages of the Asia Cup men’s hockey tournament final, India made a strong start by scoring the first goal in the opening minute itself with Sukhjeet Singh executing a calm finish, going past the diving South Korean goalkeeper Jaehan Kim. But the goalie redeemed himself in a big way later in the first half by saving a penalty stroke off Jugraj Singh, to keep South Korea in the contest in the early stages with India still leading 1-0.
The second quarter of the contest saw India put together an impressive field goal in the 28th minute, starting with captain Harmanpreet Singh finding Sanjay with an aerial pass from left to right before the latter gave it to Dilpreet Singh, who calmly put it away to make it 2-0 for India. Despite losing their referral at the start of the third quarter following the half-time break, India kept dominating South Korea with their attacking play while not allowing them to create much offense either.
Towards the end of the third quarter, in the 45th minute, Dilpreet Singh scored his second goal of the evening with another move started by Harmanpreet Singh, this time with a free out at the edge of the attacking third before passing it to Raj Kumar Pal, who got the assist to make it 3-0 for India. The fourth quarter saw Amit Rohidas convert a penalty corner off a variation in the 50th minute, to put the hosts just minutes away from winning the Asia Cup title with their 4-0 lead over South Korea.
In the next minute, South Korea got something to cheer about as they scored their first goal of the evening with Dain Son finding his name on the scoresheet off a penalty corner, but the potential comeback fizzled out with the Indian team raising their bar in defence in the last few minutes.
