Jalandhar, Nov 2026 : The Indian men’s hockey team completed an unbeaten run in the league stage of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 with a commanding 8-0 victory over Korea at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar on Monday.
The win was India’s fifth consecutive victory in the tournament, ensuring they finished at the top of the standings with a perfect record. India will face Korea again in the semi-finals when the competition moves to Mohali. The semi-finals are scheduled for November 4, while the medal matches will take place on November 5.
Dilpreet Singh scored twice in the eighth and 40th minutes, while Jugraj Singh (11’), Harmanpreet Singh (15’), Shilanand Lakra (33’), Sukhjeet Singh (34’), Sanjay (36’) and Angad Bir Singh (60’) added to the tally.
Japan, who finished second in the league stage, will take on third-placed Malaysia in the other semi-final.
India started the match on the front foot, creating an early opportunity through Sukhjeet Singh. His backhand attempt in the fourth minute, however, was kept out by Korean goalkeeper Kim Jaehyeon.
The hosts broke the deadlock in the eighth minute when Dilpreet converted a backhand finish following a move initiated by an aerial pass from Jugraj. India doubled their lead three minutes later through a penalty corner. Harmanpreet’s initial effort was saved, but Vishnukant Singh collected the rebound and set up Jugraj, who found the net.
Harmanpreet then converted another penalty corner in the 15th minute to give India a 3-0 advantage at the first break. The Indian captain now leads the tournament’s scoring chart with nine goals.
Korea showed greater attacking intent in the second quarter and earned several penalty corners, but India’s defence remained firm. Goalkeeper Pathak produced an important save in the 27th minute, denying Son Dain in a one-on-one situation with his outstretched foot.
India continued to create chances at the other end. Aditya Arjun Lalage’s attempt went wide, while a penalty-corner opportunity was ruled out after the ball was deemed to have been played with the back of the stick. India went into half-time with their three-goal lead intact.
The Indian team raised the tempo after the break and scored four times in the third quarter to put the match beyond Korea’s reach.
Shilanand Lakra made it 4-0 in the 33rd minute after India executed a penalty-corner variation. Harmanpreet’s pass found Jugraj, whose attempt was saved by Kim, but Lakra reacted quickly to convert the rebound.
Sukhjeet extended the lead a minute later, deflecting Aditya’s pass from the baseline into the net. Sanjay added India’s sixth goal in the 36th minute after reacting quickest to a rebound from Dilpreet’s saved attempt.
India’s seventh goal came in the 40th minute. Sanjay controlled Harmanpreet’s long aerial pass and struck towards goal, with Dilpreet getting a touch to guide the ball past the Korean goalkeeper and complete his brace.
India eased the pace in the final quarter, allowing Korea more possession, although the visitors struggled to create clear scoring opportunities. Suraj Karkera made a save when Korea threatened, while a penalty corner in the 58th minute failed to produce a goal.
Angad Bir Singh then scored a superb solo effort in the 60th minute. He won possession in midfield, drove towards the circle and pushed the ball underneath the advancing goalkeeper to seal India’s emphatic 8-0 win. Korea earned another penalty corner in the closing seconds but could not convert.
Sanjay, who was named Player of the Match, said India were pleased to finish the league stage at the top of the table.
“We wanted to top the table and we did that. We are very happy. I want to request the crowd to support us the same way in Mohali,” he said.
India finished the league stage with 15 points and a goal difference of 29. Japan secured second place with 10 points, followed by Malaysia with nine and Korea with six.
