In the semi-finals of Hockey Asia Cup 2025, Team India defeated China 7–0 to secure a place in the final. Now there will be a title match between India and South Korea.
Asia cup 2025: The semi -final match was played between India and China at the Bihar Sports University Hockey Stadium in Rajgir on Saturday at the Hockey Asia Cup 2025. The Indian men’s team has confirmed China in the final by trampling China 7–0. Now Team India will face South Korea. With the help of two goals of Abhishek and one goal of Shilanand Lakra, Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh and Rajkumar Pal, Team India won a big victory.
Team India needed victory or draw to make it to the finals
On the other hand, Korea defeated Malaysia 4-3 in a thrilling semifinal match. The final match is to be played on Sunday. Team India needed victory or draw to make it to it. At the same time, China needed a full three points to move forward. The Chinese team gave India a tough competition in their first match, but its players could not score a single goal on Saturday.
India performed well from the beginning
India’s weakness in the entire tournament was that it could not go ahead and score the initial goal. Against Malaysia, Team India scored a goal within 45 seconds. During the draw against Korea, the players of Team India went up in the first quarter, but nothing happened on Saturday. Indian players performed well from the beginning.
China started the match by retaining the ball, but as soon as India captured the ball, started infiltration into D. Abhishek created the first time when he sent a dangerous pass in front of the goal and Mandeep missed. Jermanpreet, who performed brilliantly against Malaysia, again played an important role. He gave a lower cross to Shilanand Lakra, which was delivered in the goal in the fourth minute. After this, Shilanand achieved the first penalty corner of the match for India in the seventh minute. Harmanpreet’s shot was initially blocked, but Dilpreet put her in the goal and made the score 2-0.
Abhishek constantly harassed Defense and Rajkumar took the ball to the goalpost from the left side. His shot remained slightly away from the goalpost. India continued to pressurize China’s lock block. It was in the circle and was facing an attack from the wings.
In the second quarter, Abhishek attacked the right side and went near Mandeep, whose deflection went out slightly. The second penalty corner of the game came soon and once again Harmanpreet’s attempt failed. Mandeep brought the lead to 3–0 in the 18th minute. In the 23rd minute, Hardik entered the defense with a brilliant stickwork and put a shot which was stopped by the Chinese goalkeeper. India’s pressure remained continuously and had to defend several times.
Team India scored goals from all sides
Coach Fulton will be happy that his team has started scoring goals. The midfielders scored some goals in the last match. This time Rajkumar Pal had a chance to shine. Midfielder Rajkumar made the score 4–0 at the right time in the 37th minute. He was the 11th different goal for India in the tournament. This is a good sign for India in the final.
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Sukhjit scored in the 39th minute to make the score 5–0. Sukhjit, while penetrating the defense, gave Abhishek a chance to score a goal with tap-in. Abhishek scored in the 50th minute to score to seven for India. The Chinese player showed aggressive games in the last few minutes, but could not score.