India’s men’s hockey side delivered a dominant performance on Thursday, September 24, defeating South Korea 8-2 in a Pool A encounter at the Asian Games. The eight‑goal haul marked the biggest margin the Indian team has ever recorded against the Koreans in the history of the Games. The victory also secured a third successive win for the squad led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, keeping the team unbeaten and firmly in control of the group.
Match Summary
The contest began with India asserting immediate pressure. Shilanand Lakra opened the scoring, capitalising on a long aerial pass and finding the net within the opening minutes. A few minutes later, Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner, sending the ball to the far right of the goalkeeper and giving India a 2‑0 lead. Dilpreet Singh added a second goal for the side shortly after, completing a quick 3‑0 first‑quarter advantage.
India continued to pile on the pressure in the second quarter, with Dilpreet Singh netting his second goal of the match to make it 4‑0. The momentum was briefly interrupted when South Korea earned a penalty corner, but the Korean drag‑flicker chose a flat shot and the attempt failed to produce a goal. India responded with a brace from Abhishek, who scored twice in quick succession, extending the lead to 6‑0 before the quarter ended.
Scoring Details
The third quarter saw further contributions from a range of Indian players. Sukhjeet Singh found the back of the net, followed by a goal from Rajinder Singh, who secured the eighth and final goal for India. Dilpreet Singh’s brace and Abhishek’s double accounted for four of the eight goals, while Lakra, Sukhjeet, Harmanpreet and Rajinder each added one.
South Korea managed to break through twice. Their first goal came from Kim YongBok, who broke away from the Indian defense and finished past the goalkeeper, registering the Koreans’ inaugural goal of the tournament. The second Korean strike was recorded by Kim Jaeho in the 42nd minute of the fourth quarter, after a period of sustained pressure that briefly caught the Indian defense off guard.
Both sides earned penalty corners for the Koreans, but they failed to convert either opportunity. One notable incident involved Jihun Yang, who opted for a flat shot rather than a drag‑flick, prompting the referee to award a penalty stroke after a back‑stick infraction by Jarmanpreet Singh. India’s review overturned the decision, and a subsequent Korean penalty corner also ended without a goal.
Impact on Pool A
Statistically, India dominated possession, holding the ball for 57 % of the time in the opening quarter. The team generated a total of four back‑to‑back penalty corners in the third period, though none resulted in a goal. Harmanpreet Singh’s early penalty‑corner conversion was the only successful set‑piece finish for India in the match.
Defensively, India conceded two goals but maintained a strong overall structure. Jarmanpreet Singh received a green card for a challenge, reducing the side to ten men temporarily, yet the team weathered the brief numerical disadvantage without further concession. Amit Rohidas, who had earlier been shown a green card, returned to the field and intercepted a pass that led to Abhishek’s seventh goal, underscoring his impact despite limited minutes.
With the 8‑2 win, India’s goal difference in Pool A swelled to +33, leaving the team at the summit of the group standings. The result also cemented India’s record as the most prolific scorer against South Korea in an Asian Games fixture. The next scheduled match for the Indian squad is against Japan on Saturday, a clash that will test whether the side can sustain its offensive momentum and continue its unbeaten run.
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