JALANDHAR, November 3: The two dominant teams in Jalandhar, India and Malaysia, finished first and second respectively in the league standings and will face South Korea and Japan in Wednesday’s semi-finals at the Balbir Singh International Hockey Stadium in Mohali. After 15 matches in Jalandhar, the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 now moves to Mohali for the decisive business end of the tournament.
India signed off their league campaign in emphatic fashion, overwhelming South Korea 8-0, while Malaysia, another impressive outfit throughout the competition, suffered a 1-2 defeat against Japan. The results confirmed India’s position at the top and Malaysia’s second-place finish, setting up two intriguing semi-final encounters.
India’s commanding performance was particularly significant given their impressive consistency in the tournament. The hosts have maintained an unbeaten record in their last 20 Asian Champions Trophy matches, comprising nineteen victories and a draw in the recent run, underlining their dominance in the continental competition.
The 8-0 demolition of South Korea was watched by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Dutch hockey legend Floris Jan Bovelander, adding to the occasion at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium.
India’s attacking display was spread across three quarters. They scored three goals in the opening quarter, went scoreless in the second, added another three in the third and finished with two more in the final quarter. The eight-goal margin also represented India’s biggest-ever victory over South Korea in the history of the Asian Champions Trophy, surpassing their previous best of 4-1.
Goalkeepers deny Korean resistance
The scoreline might suggest a completely one-sided encounter, but South Korea did not surrender without a fight. The Koreans attempted to challenge India and created opportunities, including some promising situations inside the striking circle. However, Indian goalkeepers Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera were in outstanding form, producing timely interventions to deny even seemingly certain goals.
Their performance ensured that India maintained a clean sheet despite South Korea’s efforts to find a breakthrough. The defensive solidity complemented India’s attacking fluency, making the victory a comprehensive team effort rather than merely a goal-scoring exhibition.
India’s ability to combine relentless attacking pressure with dependable goalkeeping will be a significant source of confidence as they head into the knockout stage.
Malaysia, meanwhile, will have to regroup after their defeat against Japan. Their second-place finish nevertheless reflects a strong league campaign in which they consistently challenged the leading teams. Japan’s victory gave them the opportunity to face Malaysia again in the semi-finals, while South Korea will have another chance against India.
Mohali beckons
The shift from Jalandhar to Mohali marks the beginning of the tournament’s most consequential phase. India will meet South Korea, while Malaysia take on Japan, with places in the final at stake.
India enter the semi-finals as the unbeaten league leaders and overwhelming favourites, but the knockout stage offers no room for complacency. Their impressive scoring form, defensive assurance and the energy of their supporters have given them considerable momentum.
The hosts are now just two victories away from completing their title defence on home soil.
1 Comment
An 8-0 win to finish the league stage unbeaten is a statement, and keeping a clean sheet despite Korea’s efforts shows how complete this India side is. Two more wins in Mohali and the title defence is complete.