New Delhi: In a display of sheer dominance and tactical brilliance, the Indian men’s hockey team reclaimed their position as Asia’s undisputed kings by clinching the Men’s Asia Cup 2025 title with a resounding 4-1 victory over defending champions South Korea in the final.
This triumph not only marks India’s fourth Asia Cup crown but also secures their direct qualification for the FIH Men’s World Cup 2026, set to be co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium.
Under the astute leadership of captain Harmanpreet Singh and the strategic guidance of coach Craig Fulton, India entered the tournament as hot favourites and lived up to the hype, remaining unbeaten throughout.
Hosted for the first time in Bihar’s historic town of Rajgir, the event provided a fitting backdrop for India’s resurgence, ending an eight-year wait since their last title in 2017.
The final, played on Sunday, was a masterclass in aggressive hockey from the outset. India wasted no time asserting control, with forward Sukhjeet Singh firing home the opener in the very first minute to give the hosts a dream start and send the crowd into raptures. Despite a resilient South Korean defence holding firm, India doubled their lead just two minutes before the halftime whistle, courtesy Dilpreet Singh’s clinical finish.
The second half saw India maintain their momentum, though breaking through Korea’s stubborn backline required patience and precision. In the 45th minute, Dilpreet struck again — his second of the match — to make it 3-0, effectively sealing the deal. Amit Rohidas then added the fourth in the 50th minute with a powerful drag-flick, showcasing India’s prowess in set pieces. South Korea managed a late consolation goal in the 57th minute, but it did little to alter the narrative of India’s one-sided conquest.
This victory levels the head-to-head record in Asia Cup finals between the two rivals at 2-2. Prior to this, India and South Korea had clashed three times in title deciders, with Korea emerging victorious twice. Now, with four titles under their belt, India trails only South Korea’s five in the all-time tally, having reached their ninth final overall.
India’s path to glory was paved with consistency. In the pool stage, they swept all three matches, followed by two wins and a draw in the Super-4 round — the lone stalemate being a hard-fought 2-2 against Korea itself. Fulton’s men demonstrated a blend of youthful energy and veteran composure, turning defence into attack seamlessly and capitalising on every opportunity.
For Indian hockey, this win is more than a trophy; it’s a statement of intent. Emerging from the shadows of recent Olympic disappointments, the team has rebuilt with a focus on fitness, strategy, and mental fortitude. As they gear up for the World Cup, questions loom about integrating emerging talents with established stars, but this Asia Cup performance suggests a squad hungry for global dominance.
Fans across the nation celebrated late into the night, with social media buzzing about the team’s heroics. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar hailed the event as a boost for sports in the state, potentially inspiring a new generation of hockey enthusiasts in a region more known for cricket fever.
With the World Cup ticket in hand, India’s next challenge will be to fine-tune their game against top European sides. For the moment, in the heart of Bihar, the tricolour flies high, and the roar of victory echoes far beyond Rajgir’s ancient hills.