India's Men's Hockey Team Clinches Victory in Asian Champions Trophy Opener

India, 2 January 2026 — The Indian men's hockey team started their campaign in the Asian Champions Trophy with a commanding 5-1 victory over South Korea in Chennai on Thursday. The match, held at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, saw India dominating from the outset with goals from five different players.

In the Group A encounter, India's Harmanpreet Singh opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a well-executed penalty corner. The momentum continued as Varun Kumar, Mandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, and Hardik Singh added to the tally, effectively securing the win against the defending champions.

South Korea managed to pull one back through Jang Jong-hyun in the third quarter, but the Indian defense held strong to prevent any further goals. This victory sets a positive tone for India as they aim to secure a spot in the finals of the tournament.

The tournament, which features six teams including Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan, and China, serves as an important preparatory event for the upcoming Asian Games. India's performance in this match highlights their strengthening position in the Asian hockey circuit.

India's next match is scheduled against Japan on Saturday, and the team aims to continue their winning streak. The competition remains open, with several strong contenders vying for the title.