Asian Champions Trophy: India beats South Korea 4-1 to enter final

India advances to the Asian Champions Trophy hockey final after defeating South Korea 4-1, facing China next.

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh’s sublime form resulted in twin strikes as defending champions India entered the final of the Asian Champions Trophy with a clinical 4-1 win against South Korea in the semifinal in Hulunbuir on Monday (September 16, 2024).

India scored through Uttam Singh (13th minute), skipper Harmanpreet Singh (19th, 45th) and Jarmanpreet Singh (32nd), while Korea’s lone goal came from through Yang Jihun (33rd)‘s penalty corner conversion.

India will take on hosts China in Tuesday’s final. Earlier in the day, China defeated Pakistan 2-0 via shoot-out in the first semifinal after the two teams finished 1-1 at the end of regulation 60 minutes.

In the previous league stage encounter between the two finalists, India prevailed 3-0.

Pakistan and Korea will face off in the third place classification match which will also be played on Tuesday.

Meanwhile in the fifth-sixth place classification match, Japan beat Malaysia 4-2 in shoot-out following a 4-4 stalemate in normal time.

In the second semifinal as expected, the Indians started on the offensive and tested the Korean defence with persistent attacks from the word go.