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MOHALI: The venue changed from Jalandhar to Mohali, but India’s attacking tenor remained unchanged. The defending champions produced another emphatic performance, defeating South Korea 8-1 in the semi-final of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 to set up a title clash against Japan.
The Koreans initially appeared determined to make amends for their 0-8 league-stage defeat at Jalandhar. They even equalised early at 1-1, but India’s response came within the same minute. Captain Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner to restore the lead, and the match soon swung decisively in India’s favour.
Interestingly, South Korea had offered a stronger challenge at Jalandhar, where they earned seven penalty corners but failed to convert any, thanks largely to the efforts of Indian goalkeepers Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera. At Mohali, their resistance proved considerably shorter.
The semi-final was India’s first international match at the Balbir Singh International Hockey Stadium. A vociferous home crowd witnessed the five-time champions carry forward their unbeaten league campaign, having won all five matches.
India opened the scoring in the fourth minute through a beautifully constructed team move. Dilpreet Singh collected the ball inside the striking circle and combined with Sukhjeet Singh before receiving it back. He then cut the ball across from the baseline for Shilanand Lakra to deflect home from close range.
South Korea responded in the ninth minute when Sangjun Han deflected a pass from the right past goalkeeper Suraj Karkera. But the Koreans had barely celebrated their equaliser when Harmanpreet restored India’s advantage with a powerful penalty-corner drag-flick in the same minute.
India extended their lead in the 13th minute. Harmanpreet’s penalty-corner attempt was saved by goalkeeper Kim Jaehyeon, but Shilanand reacted sharply to the rebound to score his second goal.
The second quarter saw India add three more goals. Sukhjeet made it 4-1 in the 21st minute with a fine reverse-flick after controlling an outstanding pass from Sanjay. He turned past a defender and found the net with precision.
India struck again in quick succession when Angad Bir Singh and Dilpreet combined in a neat exchange, with Dilpreet stretching to guide the ball home. The Punjab forward scored his second in the 25th minute, controlling Harmanpreet’s long aerial pass into the circle before beating the goalkeeper with another reverse-flick. India went into half-time with a commanding 6-1 lead.
The third quarter began with an unusual incident. South Korean captain Kim Yong Bok received a five-minute yellow card after his team was found to have fielded more than 11 players. India capitalised in the 36th minute. Jarmanpreet Singh made a strong run down the right and delivered the ball into the circle, where Angad finished to score India’s seventh.
India continued to press, although Amandeep Lakra could not convert a penalty-corner opportunity after Shilanand was struck by a rebound.
The final quarter brought another Indian goal. Vivek Sagar Prasad produced a fine individual effort in the 54th minute, carrying the ball from the right into the circle before beating the goalkeeper with a reverse hit to complete the 8-1 victory.
Korea managed little attacking threat in the closing stages. Their penalty-corner opportunity also failed to produce a goal, as Park Geunwoo’s attempt went wide. When the final hooter sounded, the packed stands erupted in celebration and fireworks illuminated the Mohali venue.
Dilpreet Singh, who scored twice, was named Player of the Match. He credited the team’s collective effort for the impressive scoring performance.
“Our aim was to execute our plans. It doesn’t matter who scores and who doesn’t. It is very special to play in Punjab, with our families in the stands and represent India in front of them. Thanks to all the fans for their energy. We look forward to seeing the fans in the final as well,” he said.
Earlier, Japan secured their place in the final by defeating Malaysia 5-3 in a shootout after the first semi-final remained goalless through regulation time. China had beaten Bangladesh 3-1 in the classification match for fifth and sixth places.
India will face Japan on Thursday, November 5, at 7 pm IST, seeking a record-extending sixth Asian Champions Trophy title. With five consecutive league victories and two convincing wins over South Korea, the hosts will enter the final as strong contenders to retain their crown.