India Vs China, Highlights, Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Super4s: IND Thrash CHN 7-0 To Set Up Summit Clash Against Korea

We’re back with another live blog, and this one’s a cracker, India vs China in the Hockey Asia Cup 2025! Stick around as we bring you every twist and turn from Rajgir. Pushback is at 7:30 PM IST, so grab your spot and stay tuned for all the live action.

A thrilling contest in Hangzhou as India and Japan played out a 2-2 draw in the Women’s Asia Cup 2025. End-to-end action, solid defending, and stunning saves kept the crowd on the edge of their seats.

The qualification scenario for the Asia Cup Super 4s is finely poised ahead of the India vs China clash. A draw would see both India and China progress to the final, while an Indian win would send Korea through alongside Harmanpreet Singh’s side.

If China win, goal difference will decide the second finalist between India and Korea, with India currently holding the edge. India look almost certain to make the final, but as sport often reminds us, nothing is guaranteed.

Both the teams are on the turf and it's time for national anthems.

India’s early pressure pays off as Shilanand Lakra pounces on a defensive lapse from China, smashing the ball home from close range to give his side a quick lead.

India doubles its lead as Dilpreet Singh reacts quickest to a loose ball after a weak drag-flick from Harmanpreet, slotting it past the Chinese defence to make it 2-0.

Jugraj looked to open up play with a pass towards Rajkumar on the right flank, but the ball carried too much weight and rolled out of bounds, letting China off the hook.

India takes a solid 2-0 lead into the second quarter at the Bihar Sports University Hockey Stadium in Rajgir, with Shilanand Lakra and Dilpreet Singh finding the net early against China.

India extend their lead to 3-0 as Mandeep pounces on a loose ball from close range after Harmanpreet’s drag-flick and Vivek’s follow-up were denied, leaving the Chinese keeper helpless.

The Indians appear to have fully relaxed into the game, and Craig Fulton's team's fluency of play is the only reason for the three-goal margin. The Indians will play the reigning champion Korea in the final as a result of this outcome.

India dominated the first half, scoring goals through Mandeep, Dilpreet, and Shilanand to lead 3-0 over China at the intermission.

Mandeep gets the ball within the circle on the left. He attempts to cross the ball to Abhishek in the middle, but Weihao Wang, the Chinese goalie, punches it out of his grasp before it can reach Abhishek.

Shilanand crosses the ball from the left to the middle, setting up Rajkumar Pal's goal. The Chinese keeper loses possession of the ball after Dilpreet gets a stick to it. India scores its fourth goal when Rajkumar taps the ball into the net from the far post.

This is yet another brilliantly planned Indian goal. From the left, Dilpreet enters the circle and locates Sukhjeet with the cutback. Sukhjeet, who tumbles but skilfully gets a low shot away while down to target the bottom right corner of the net, finds it to be one of the more difficult receives.

As he breaks through the Chinese defence, Sukhjeet has superb ball control. It is a 2 versus. 1 match for the Chinese keeper with Abhishek on the sidelines. Abhishek puts the ball inside the net with the simplest of finishes after Sukhjeet graciously feeds it to him.

Abhishek receives Shilanand's pass from within the circle. He maintains his composure to turn, create space for himself, and get a shot away even when he is under siege. The ball thuds into the net, and the Chinese keeper Wang is unable to get a touch since the strike is low and hard.

India easily advances to the final, where it will face the reigning champion Korea, after defeating China 7-0.

The stage is set for the final day of the Men’s Asia Cup Hockey 2025 in Rajgir — Malaysia will take on China in the 3rd/4th place playoff, while India faces South Korea in the title clash, with the coveted trophy and a spot in next year’s World Cup on the line.

Player of the match: Shilanand Lakra