India Advances to Final in Men's Hockey Asian Champions Trophy
India, 4 January 2026 — The Indian men's hockey team has reached the final of the Asian Champions Trophy after a decisive victory over South Korea in the semi-finals held in Chennai on Thursday. The Indian squad triumphed with a scoreline of 5-2, demonstrating their dominance in the tournament. This win secures India's place in the final, where they will face Malaysia, who defeated Japan in the other semi-final match.
The semi-final match saw India take an early lead with goals from Harmanpreet Singh and Akashdeep Singh, setting the tone for the rest of the game. South Korea attempted a comeback with two goals, but India's defense held strong, supported by additional goals from Mandeep Singh and Shamsher Singh.
The tournament, hosted in Chennai, has been a significant event for Indian hockey, highlighting the team's prowess and form as they prepare for upcoming international fixtures. The final match against Malaysia is anticipated to be a closely contested battle, given both teams' performances in the tournament.
The Asian Champions Trophy serves as a crucial platform for Asian teams to compete at a high level, providing invaluable experience ahead of the 2026 Hockey World Cup. India's consistent performance in this tournament underscores their potential as a formidable team on the global stage. The final match is set to take place on Saturday, marking the culmination of the week-long event.