New Delhi: India opened their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a win over China, which is set to trigger more concerns than positive hopes of their title credentials
in the continental tournament in Rajgir, Bihar.
Skipper Harmanpreet Singh’s hat-trick of successful penalty corners was the difference between the two teams, which are miles apart in the rankings. But 23-ranked China fought tooth and nail against the hosts and the highest-ranked team in the six-team tournament, which survived a huge scare, winning 4-3 in the Pool A opener.
While Harmanpreet scored a hat-trick (20′, 33′, 47′), Jugraj Singh (18′) opened the scoring for the three-time champions. Du Shihao (12′), Chen Benhai (35′) and Gao Jiesheng (42′) found the net for China.
In a game where three goals were disallowed after referrals and one penalty miss, China gave a good account of themselves against the Asian giants.
Harmanpreet steals the show with a hat-trick
Trailing 0-1 after the first quarter, India bagged two goals in two minutes to head into the halftime with a 2-1 lead as Harmanpreet found the back of the net with a trademark drag flick. But China bounced back brilliantly with Benhai converting a penalty corner as both teams headed to the final quarter on level terms.
The hosts were rescued again by their skipper as he converted a third penalty corner to give India the lead once again.
𝗪𝗜𝗡 to begin! 🙌
India beat China in a closely contested match at the Hero Asia Cup, Rajgir, Bihar, 2025.
🇮🇳 4-3 🇨🇳#HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame #HumSeHaiHockey #HeroAsiaCupRajgir pic.twitter.com/tEJbdlBUTT
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 29, 2025
While India bagged the crucial three points, their performance, especially in defence, has set alarm bells ringing on their campaign. India are placed in Pool A with China, Japan and Kazakhstan, while Pool B has title-holders and five-time champions South Korea, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei.
India might have finished with a positive result, but the hosts had a bad day in office and were guilty of allowing China to come back in the match by leaking some sloppy goals. On the offensive, India squandered several chances and converted just four out of 11 penalty corners.
Earlier, Malaysia rallied to crush lower-ranked Bangladesh 4-1 before title holders Korea thrashed Chinese Taipei 7-0 in Pool B fixtures on the opening day. In Pool A, Japan demolished Kazakhstan 7-0 in Match 3 of the tournament.
