The Indian men’s hockey team completed an unbeaten league-stage campaign at the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 with a commanding 8-0 victory over Korea on Monday at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar.
The win marked India’s fifth consecutive victory in the tournament. The team finished at the top of the standings with 15 points and a goal difference of +29, setting up another meeting with Korea in the semi-finals.
Dilpreet Singh scored twice, finding the net in the 8th and 40th minutes. Jugraj Singh (11′), Harmanpreet Singh (15′), Shilanand Lakra (33′), Sukhjeet Singh (34′), Sanjay (36′) and Angad Bir Singh (60′) scored the other goals.
India started aggressively, with Dilpreet opening the scoring through a backhand finish. Jugraj doubled the lead from a penalty corner before Harmanpreet added another penalty-corner goal to give India a 3-0 advantage at the first break.
Harmanpreet now leads the tournament scoring chart with nine goals.
Korea created several penalty-corner opportunities in the second quarter, but India’s defence remained firm. Goalkeeper Pathak also produced an important save against Son Dain in a one-on-one situation.
India raised the tempo after half-time, scoring four goals in the third quarter. Lakra, Sukhjeet and Sanjay found the net before Dilpreet added his second goal in the 40th minute.
Angad Bir Singh completed the 8-0 victory in the final minute with an impressive solo effort, taking possession in midfield and beating the advancing goalkeeper.
Sanjay was named Player of the Match for his performance.
India will face Korea again in the semi-finals as the tournament moves to Mohali. The semi-final matches are scheduled for November 4, while the medal matches will take place on November 5.
In the other semi-final, second-placed Japan will take on Malaysia, who finished third in the league stage.
The final league standings saw India finish with 15 points, followed by Japan with 10, Malaysia with nine and Korea with six points.
