India vs China Highlights, Hockey Asia Cup 2025: Hosts Edge China 4-3 in Penalty Corner Thriller

Welcome to our live coverage of the men’s Hockey Asia Cup from Rajgir, Bihar. Stay tuned for real-time updates, scores and key moments as India kick off their campaign against China in their quest for a fourth Asia Cup title.

In India, the India vs China Hockey Asia Cup 2025 match will be shown live on Sony TEN 2 and Sony TEN 2 HD TV channels. The match will also be live streamed on the SonyLiv app and website.

The morning session in Rajgir saw Malaysia fight back to seal a 4-1 win over Bangladesh in their opening clash. South Korea then delivered a clinical performance, defeating Chinese Taipei 3-0 in dominant fashion. The stage is now set for the headline clash of the day with India going up against China in their Pool A opener.

The good news for India is that the gap in quality between the Pro League and the Asia Cup works in their favor. Here, the Men in Blue are the clear front runners. In their last 24 meetings with China, India have won 18 matches and lost only three. History points strongly in their direction.

Harmanpreet Singh will lead India in the Asia Cup with Craig Fulton at the helm as coach. The team features a balanced mix of experienced campaigners and emerging talent, giving the Men in Blue both composure and firepower to handle the pressure of a major tournament.

Goalkeepers: Krishan B Pathak, Suraj Karkera
Defenders: Sumit, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh
Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad
Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh

Ahead of the Asia Cup, skipper Harmanpreet Singh urged his teammates to remain calm and focused during the press conference. “But we're approaching this tournament with the same mindset that we do during the Olympics or any other major event. All the teams are good and we are not taking anyone lightly.”

With the Asia Cup being staged in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is present in the stands for India’s opening clash. He received a rousing ovation from the home crowd as he waved to the fans. His appearance also comes at a politically significant time with the Bihar general assembly elections scheduled for November 2025.

The first quarter is underway and India thought they had struck early. In the 3rd minute, Mandeep Singh found the net with a deft finish off Hardik’s pass, sparking celebrations. However, a Chinese referral overturned the decision, with the officials spotting a foul in the build-up. The goal is ruled out and India restart with a free hit.

India started brightly, keeping most of the ball in the opening exchanges, but China is beginning to settle into the rhythm of the game. Their first real chance came when Shihao broke into the circle from the right and fired a shot, only for goalkeeper Pathak to react sharply and push it away. Soon after, Jarmanpreet Singh showed composure under pressure, clearing the danger with ease. China rewarded their first penalty corner.

China takes the lead in Rajgir as Du Shihao makes no mistake from the penalty corner, opening the scoring in the first quarter. The home crowd, which had been buzzing moments earlier after India’s disallowed goal, falls silent as the Men in Blue now trail 0-1 in their opener.

The opening quarter comes to a close in Rajgir and India find themselves a goal down. In the final minute, the hosts had a golden opportunity to equalise through their first penalty corner but skipper Harmanpreet Singh could not find the target. China go into the break with a slender 1-0 lead.

India are back in it and the Rajgir crowd erupts. From a penalty corner, with captain Harmanpreet Singh off the pitch, Jugraj Singh takes responsibility. Hardik delivers a clean injection and Jugraj unleashes a thunderous strike into the top corner, leaving the Chinese keeper with no chance. It is 1-1 and game on in the second quarter.

The captain delivers when it matters. After back-to-back penalty corners, Harmanpreet Singh finally gets his chance and makes no mistake. The drag-flick is struck with precision and power, sailing past the Chinese defence to give India a 2-1 lead. The crowd finds its voice again as the Men in Blue turn the game around.

Back-to-back misses at either end. India cannot make the most of their chance as the injection from the penalty corner is too weak and the move fizzles out. Moments later, China get a penalty corner of their own but they do not convert either, dragging the shot wide of the post. The score stays 2-1 in India’s favour.

India think they have doubled their lead, but celebrations are cut short after China call for a referral. The replays confirm that the ball had struck the foot of an Indian player before going into the net. The goal does not stand and the score remains 2-1.

It is halftime in Rajgir and India hold a 2-1 advantage thanks to penalty corner goals from Jugraj Singh and Harmanpreet Singh. The hosts have enjoyed 57 percent possession and have been much more active in the attacking circle with 10 entries compared to China’s 4. India also lead the shots count 6 to 2, though China have shown flashes of brilliance to keep the contest fast and competitive.

India register their third goal of the match as skipper Harmanpreet Singh fires a thunderous drag-flick. The ball ricochets off the Chinese goalkeeper’s pads but still has enough power to roll into the net. India now extend their lead to 3-1 and look in firm control of proceedings in the second half.

China reduce the deficit with a smart piece of deception. Du Shihao, the scorer of their first goal, fakes a run to confuse the Indian defence, allowing Chen Benhai to take the shot and find the back of the net. The score is now 3-2 and the contest is alive once again.

China thought they had levelled the match, but a video referral overturned the goal. Replays showed that a Chinese player committed a body tackle on Harmanpreet Singh just before the shot, invalidating the effort. The score remains 3-2 in India’s favour.

India are awarded a penalty stroke, giving them a golden chance to extend their lead. Captain Harmanpreet Singh steps up but his shot rattles the post and bounces back into play. It is a frustrating miss for India, who hoped to further increase their advantage, and the Rajgir crowd falls silent once again.

China fight back in Rajgir as they convert back-to-back penalty corners. Gao Jiesheng finishes the second opportunity perfectly to level the score at 3-3. India had looked in control, and the hosts could have been further ahead if skipper Harmanpreet Singh had converted the earlier penalty stroke. The match is now anyone’s game.

The third quarter comes to a close in Rajgir with China looking the happier side. The visitors have scored two goals in this period to erase India’s lead, putting the hosts under significant pressure heading into the final quarter.

Harmanpreet Singh delivers a stunning hat-trick as he calmly converts a penalty corner. The strike leaves no chance for the Chinese goalkeeper and sends the Rajgir crowd into a frenzy, chanting “India will win.” The Men in Blue are back in control, leading 4-3 in the opening minutes of a thrilling final quarter.

With just under eight minutes remaining, India face a setback as Jarmanpreet Singh is shown a yellow card, resulting in a five-minute suspension. The Men in Blue will have to play short-handed, while China look to capitalise on the opportunity to stage a late comeback. This is shaping up to be a thrilling finale in Rajgir.

India clinch a hard-fought victory in their opening match of the Asia Cup against China. The hosts begin their campaign on a high note despite being tested throughout the game. All four of India’s goals came from penalty corners, with Harmanpreet Singh scoring a hat-trick and Jugraj Singh adding one. The Rajgir crowd erupts as the Men in Blue secure a 4-3 win to kick off the tournament.