The Indian hockey team booked its place in the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 final with a dominant 8-1 win over the Republic of Korea in the semi-finals at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali on Wednesday.
Shilanand Lakra (4′, 13′) and Dilpreet Singh (21′, 25′) scored twice each, while captain Harmanpreet Singh (9′), Sukhjeet Singh (21′), Angad Bir Singh (36′) and Vivek Sagar Prasad (54′) were also on target. Sangjun Han (9′) scored South Korea’s only goal.
The semi-final was India’s first international hockey match at the Mohali stadium.
India, five-time Asian Champions Trophy hockey champions, had finished the league stage unbeaten with five wins from five matches, carried that form into the knockout match and will now face Japan in Thursday’s final.
Japan edged Asian Games 2026 silver medallists Malaysia 5-3 in a shootout after the first semi-final remained goalless through 60 minutes of regulation time.
India started on the front foot and took the lead in the fourth minute through a well-worked team goal.
Dilpreet collected the ball around the nine-yard area in the striking circle and passed it to Sukhjeet before receiving it back. He then cut the ball across from the baseline for Shilanand to deflect it into the net from close range.
South Korea responded in the ninth minute when Sangjun Han deflected a pass from the right past goalkeeper Suraj Karkera.
India restored their lead almost immediately through a penalty corner, with skipper Harmanpreet sending a powerful drag-flick into the net.
India earned another penalty corner in the 13th minute. Harmanpreet’s first attempt was saved by goalkeeper Kim Jaehyeon, but Shilanand reacted quickly on the rebound to score his second goal.
The second quarter began with five quiet minutes before India stepped up their attacking play.
Sukhjeet made it 4-1 with a fine reverse-flick after controlling a sensational pass from Sanjay, turning past a defender and finding the net. India struck again in quick succession when Angad and Dilpreet combined in a neat one-two, with Dilpreet stretching to guide the ball into the net.
Dilpreet added his second goal in the 25th minute, controlling Harmanpreet’s long aerial pass into the circle before beating the goalkeeper with a reverse-flick. India went into the half-time break with a commanding 6-1 lead.
The proceedings after the break started on the wrong foot for South Korea as captain Kim Yong Bok received a five-minute yellow card because the visitors fielded more than 11 players on the pitch.
Things got worse for them in the 36th minute as Angad added India’s seventh goal after Jarmanpreet Singh made a strong run down the right and sent the ball into the circle.
The hosts also earned a penalty corner after Shilanand was struck by a rebound but Amandeep Lakra’s attempt was saved by the Korean goalkeeper.
The visitors struggled to create chances in the final quarter; although they earned a penalty corner, Park Geunwoo’s attempt went wide.
Soon after, Vivek added India’s eighth goal in the 54th minute with a fine solo effort, carrying the ball from the right into the circle before beating the goalkeeper with a reverse hit.
Dilpreet was named Player of the Match for his two goals.
“Our aim was to execute our plans. It doesn’t matter who scores and who doesn’t. It is very special to play in Punjab, with our families in the stands and represent India in front of them,” he said.
