Eight years later, the Indian men’s hockey team defeated Korea 4–1 on Sunday (September 07, 2025) to win the Hero Asia Cup 2025 title. Also, India qualified for FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 (in the Netherlands and Belgium). In the final of the match, Rajgir’s stadium was packed with the audience.

India last won the Asia Cup in Dhaka in 2017. In the finals of today (Sunday), goals for India were scored by Dilpreet Singh (28 ‘, 45’), Sukhjit Singh (1 ‘) and Amit Rohidas (50’). After this historic victory, Hockey India announced to give three lakhs to the players and 1.5 lakh to the support staff.

India got a penalty stroke with six minutes left

On the last day, India made a great start and Sukhjit Singh scored a goal within just 30 seconds of the match started. Captain Harmanpreet Singh got the ball from the best passing and Sukhjit dodged the Korean goalkeeper Jahan Kim while hitting a strong Tomahawk shot. The first quarter saw a lot of action. India got a penalty stroke with about six minutes left. The occasion was given by Manip Singh when the Korean defender was stopped from the stick while hitting the goal, but the opportunity was lost and Jugraj Singh’s attempt was stopped.

In the second quarter, Korea slowed India’s pace. Jugraj got a green card but young midfielder Rajinder Singh gave India the first penalty corner in the 19th minute. However, after a good review of Korea, this effort of India was rejected. In the second quarter, the rounds of goals between the two teams stopped for a while, but in the 28th minute, Dilpreet Singh scored a goal to give India a 2-0 lead. This opportunity was received from the long pass of captain Harmanpreet Singh, which Sanjay extended to Dilpreet. He stopped for a while and fired the ball from the goalkeeper.

Dilpreet Singh took a goal in 45th minute

India started the game in the third quarter after half time, although Sanjay had to play only 10 players in the field due to getting a green card. Three minutes after the start of the third quarter, India got a penalty corner but after the ball was hit by Moneyp Shin, the decision was overturned. After this, India carried out many attacks but could not score. Finally, in the 45th minute, Dilpreet Singh increased the lead by scoring a brilliant goal. Harmanpreet’s brilliant pass by Raj Kumar Pal hit a shot but the final goal was scored by Dilpreet.

‘This is a very pride and joy for us’

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar congratulated Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on the victory of Hero Asia Cup and India’s qualification in Hockey World Cup 2026. The Chief Minister said that this is our fourth win in the Asia Cup which has come after 8 years. This is a moment of great pride and joy for us. This victory restoration of India’s supremacy in Asia. Special best wishes to captain Harmanpreet Singh and the entire team.