The Indian men's hockey team produced a commanding performance to reach the final of the Asian Champions Trophy 2026. In the semifinal played on Wednesday at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali, India handed South Korea a crushing 8-1 defeat. With the win, the Indian team continued its unbeaten run in the tournament and entered the final for a record seventh time.
For India, Shilanand Lakra and Dilpreet Singh scored two goals each. Shilanand scored in the fourth and 13th minutes, while Dilpreet put the ball into the goalpost in the 21st and 25th minutes. Captain Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner in the ninth minute. Sukhjeet Singh scored in the 21st minute, Angad Bir Singh in the 36th minute and Vivek Sagar Prasad in the 54th minute to take India's win to 8-1. South Korea's only goal came from Han Sangjun in the ninth minute.
In the first half, Indian players showed attacking hockey and took a 6-1 lead. The team kept up the pressure in the second half as well and added two more goals. Dilpreet Singh was named Player of the Match for his impressive performance.
India will now face Japan in the title clash. Japan reached the final after defeating Malaysia 5-3 in a penalty shootout in the second semifinal. India will be eyeing a third consecutive title and a sixth championship triumph. The final will be played on 5 November in Mohali.
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