India Triumphs in Asian Champions Trophy Hockey Opener Against South Korea

India, 6 January 2026 — The Indian men's hockey team began their campaign in the Asian Champions Trophy with a decisive victory over South Korea, winning 4-2 in their opening match held in Muscat, Oman. The match, which took place on Thursday, saw the Indian team showcasing a strong performance, with star forward Harmanpreet Singh scoring twice.
India took an early lead, with goals from Mandeep Singh and Harmanpreet Singh in the first quarter. South Korea managed to equalize with goals in the second quarter, but Harmanpreet Singh's second goal and a late goal by Akashdeep Singh sealed the win for India.
The victory is significant as it sets a positive tone for India in the tournament, where they aim to defend their title. The Asian Champions Trophy serves as a key event for Asian teams to gauge their readiness for the upcoming major international tournaments.
India will face Japan in their next group-stage match, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday. With this win, India has gained momentum and will look to continue their strong performance throughout the tournament.