India 4-1 South Korea Highlights, Hockey Asia Cup Final: Dilpreet Brace Powers IND To Title, Seals World Cup 2026 Berth

Hello, we’re back with another live blog. It’s India vs South Korea in the Hockey Asia Cup 2025 final, stay tuned for live updates from what promises to be an epic showdown.

The Hockey Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Korea will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network and streamed online via the SonyLiv app and website in India.

Goalkeepers: Krishan Pathak, Suraj Karkera

Defenders: Sumit, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), 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

Reserves: Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Selvam Karthi

As far as head-to-head record goes, India have won 10 games out the 22 matches between the two teams while losing just two. 10 matches have ended in a draw.

Abhishek Nain is on fire in Rajgir! With six goals already in the tournament, he’s just behind Malaysia’s Akhimullah Anuar, who tops the charts with 10. But Nain’s journey to this spotlight is anything but ordinary.

Believe it or not, his love for hockey began as a clever way to skip school. “Stop playing hockey, you’re always getting injured!” his mother once warned, her voice thick with worry. But Nain didn’t flinch. A scratch or a grass burn was a small price for the freedom he craved. Looking up at her, he simply said, “I want to do something different.”

From dodging classrooms to dodging defenders on the field, Nain’s childhood rebellion turned into a dream some might have thought too distant, to play for India. Yet here he is, chasing glory in the Asia Cup final, and you can almost see the grin from that young boy still running wild on the pitch.

Read Full Interview Here.

The players storm the pitch to a thunderous roar as India and South Korea gear up for the gold medal clash.

National anthems are underway, kicking off with South Korea followed by India, the stadium buzzing with anticipation.

And we’re off! India, in white and orange, face South Korea in blue, who take early control of possession as the gold medal clash begins.

Barely a minute in, and India have already struck. Sukhjeet Singh with a sensational finish after Harmanpreet Singh dribbles past a Korean defender down the left and threads a perfect pass into the circle.

Sukhjeet smashes a thunderous tomahawk into the top far corner, completely unsaveable. Fulton wanted a fast start, and India have delivered in spectacular fashion. They mean business from the very first whistle.

Rajkumar Pal expertly controls an aerial diagonal on the right and tries to cut inside the circle for a shot at the near post, but the Korean defence closes him down, and he loses possession.

End of First Quarter, Sukhjeet Singh’s lightning-quick goal within the first 30 seconds keeps India in a 1-0 lead over South Korea as the first quarter comes to a close.

Tough spell for Jugraj Singh. After missing his penalty stroke earlier, he now picks up a green card and will sit out for two minutes. Not the best of nights for him so far.

India are on their feet as Rajinder dazzles with some brilliant 3D skills and looks to have won a penalty corner when the ball strikes a Korean foot. But Korea aren’t convinced, immediately going for the referral and claiming the ball was dangerously high during his run. The review goes their way, and instead of a PC, it’s a free hit to Korea.

Dilpreet Singh doubles India’s lead and gives them breathing room with a simple yet classy finish. It all starts with a massive aerial from Harmanpreet that finds Sanjay on the right wing along the baseline.

Sanjay drives forward, cuts it back beautifully, and Dilpreet is there to tuck it away. Harmanpreet has been India’s best passer all tournament, and once again he provides the game-breaking moment.

What a half that was for India! They’ve been in total command, barely allowing Korea a look at goal. Pathak and Karkera have been virtual spectators at the back, while Harmanpreet has run the show with his passing and vision.

The midfield has grafted tirelessly, and the forwards have produced quality right when it mattered, Sukhjeet striking inside the first minute and Dilpreet adding the second, set up by Harmanpreet and Sanjay.

Korea are known for their fightbacks, but this is a tall task against an Indian side that looks switched on and sharp. Three games in a row now, India have been flawless, and tonight they don’t look like slowing down.

Third quarter underway. India lead 2-0 as the action resumes in Rajgir, with South Korea chasing a way back into this final.

India come close! Abhishek weaves through the circle and fires a low shot, only for Kim Jaehan to make an easy save with his foot. The rebound drops to Rajkumar, who tries a reverse strike, but it strikes the back of his stick and fails to find the goal.

Korea keep the pressure alive after a sloppy halt and win another penalty corner. Can they make it count this time as they line up for the set-piece?

Great save by Pathak. Harmanpreet reacts swiftly to clear the rebound and avert danger. India push forward with a quick break through Sukhjeet, but the attack loses momentum near the circle, and the chance slips away.

India score another one! Dilpreet Singh nets his second of the night, putting his team firmly in control. The move is crafted brilliantly by Harmanpreet Singh, who threads a clever pass into the circle.

Rajkumar collects it at the top of the D and fires towards goal, with Dilpreet perfectly positioned to deflect it into the net. India look unstoppable as the final stages of the match unfold.

Fourth quarter underway! India lead South Korea 3-0 as the final quarter begins. With only a major collapse able to stop them, India are on course to lift the Asia Cup trophy. Karkera is back in goal as play resumes.

India finally convert their first penalty corner as Amit Rohidas meets the injection and fires it into the bottom-left corner, extending their lead. However, the celebrations are slightly tempered as Rajkumar Pal picks up a green card at 50:01, meaning India will have to play a short-handed spell.

South Korea claw one back as Son Dain converts a penalty corner. The Indian defence struggles to clear the ball, and Dain times his dive perfectly to get the decisive touch and put Korea on the scoreboard.

South Korea earn another penalty corner after Rim Jinkang’s sharp dribble into the circle exposes a weak stick check from Rohidas. The big question: can they convert this one?

INDIA ARE THE CHAMPIONS! The Men’s Hockey Asia Cup title is theirs for the fourth time, and with this victory, they’ve secured a spot at next year’s World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.

The tournament highlighted their dominance, with Harmanpreet Singh leading a team that overcame early jitters to finish strong, scoring 15 goals and conceding just two in the last three games.

In the final, Dilpreet Singh stole the show with a brace, Harmanpreet’s playmaking dazzled, and Amit Rohidas and Sukhjeet Singh also got on the scoresheet. South Korea’s late goal was only a consolation in India’s commanding display.

Dilpreet Singh

Abhishek Nain

India - Gold

South Korea - Silver

Malaysia - Bronze

That’s a wrap! India finally ends the eight-year wait to lift the Asia Cup, and what a way to do it, dominant, dazzling, and full of flair! Stay tuned for our next live blog, see you then.