s2h Team

India-China encounter, the last of the four matches held in the opening day, turned out to be a thriller, each team fighting back hard. The top-ranked hosts came out triumphant in the seven-goal entertainer, indicating how the Asian hockey is increasingly competitive. Three one-sided contests preceded the India-China match, but the latter’s aggression and precision in whatever did, came almost to upset the hosts. With grit and determination, India garnered full point.

China, who played very first Asia Cup opener in 1982, stunned the established power Malaysia, and then went on to win a bronze, their lone medal till date.

Today was their opener, and it was against the hosts who are also reigning Asian Games champions and bronze medallist in the latest Olympics. The Chinese were not overawed either by their rival’s reputation or crowd.

Its indeed China who took the lead and then went on to fight till the last seconds. India, who were once leading 3-2 missed a hard-earned penalty stroke, which could have easily doused the Chinese.

India started on fast pace from the beginning.  China absorbed the pressure, survived a Penalty Corner and then started to stitch together a few moves that had India worried.  The pressure eventually paid off for China, as they won a Penalty Corner of their own, and then converted with Shihao Du (12’) found the back of the net. India had to mount a comeback quickly, and piled on the pressure on China, ending the first quarter in the ascendency. However, China led 1-0.

India began the second quarter on the attack, and were doing well to put the pressure on China. Three minutes into the period, India won a Penalty Corner, and Jugraj Singh (18’) smashed it home to make it 1-1. Shortly after, India earned another Penalty Corner, and Captain Harmanpreet Singh (20’) rifled it home to make it 2-1. The hosts were dominating proceedings in the late afternoon sun, and kept China, who created a couple of chances, at arm’s length through the rest of the quarter. At the half-time break, India led 2-1, much to the joy of the home fans.

A tense moment in the India vs China match at Rajgir Asia Cup

India came out of the break looking to pile on the misery for their opponents, and on cue, the skipper Harmanpreet Singh (33’) made it 3-1 from the first Penalty Corner of the quarter. China responded brilliantly shortly, as they won their third Penalty Corner, and Benhai Chen (35’) converted to make it 3-2. For the next few minutes, India and China matched each other move for move, with the latter looking dangerous, and making it a little nervy for the home fans. With 20 minutes to go in the game, China won a couple of Penalty Corners, and the second resulted in an equaliser from Jiesheng Gao (41’). At the end of the quarter, both sides were locked at 3-3, with the game very much in the balance.

India began the final quarter with intent, as they earned a couple Penalty Corners early on, and Harmanpreet Singh (47’) completed his hat-trick with aplomb, to give the hosts a 4-3 lead. The Harmanpreet Singh led Indian Men’s Hockey Team continued to keep the game in the opposition half of the field, making it tough for China in the final minutes. Eventually, when the hooter sounded, India walked off with the win.

ALL MATCH  RESULTS

Match 1: Malaysia vs Bangladesh (Pool B) – Malaysia shine in opener
The day began with Malaysia stamping their authority over Bangladesh in a 4–1 win. Fast-paced attacks and clinical finishing ensured the Malaysians started their campaign on the right foot. Bangladesh fought hard but couldn’t match the flair of their opponents, leaving Malaysia with early momentum in Pool B.

Match 2: Korea vs Chinese Taipei (Pool B) – A dominant masterclass
Next up, Korea produced a commanding performance, dismantling Chinese Taipei with an emphatic 7–0 victory. Slick passing, precision, and ruthless goal-scoring left no room for doubt – Korea have arrived in Rajgir as serious contenders for the title.

Match 3: Japan vs Kazakhstan (Pool A) – Samurai power on display
The afternoon clash saw Japan deliver a powerful statement of intent with their own 7–0 demolition of Kazakhstan. The Japanese side blended speed and sharpness to leave their opponents chasing shadows. It was a textbook performance that underlined Japan’s ambitions in Pool A.

Match 4: India vs China (Pool A) – A dramatic finish for the hosts
The highlight of the day came in the final match, as hosts India took on arch-rivals China in a pulsating encounter. With the home crowd roaring in Rajgir, India edged out China in a dramatic 4–3 thriller. The contest swung both ways, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the very last second. The atmosphere was electric, and India’s hard-fought win ensured a perfect ending to Day 1 of the Hero Asia Cup 2025.

Photos Courtesy: Hockey India