In an exhilarating showdown at the Rajgir Sports Complex, Bihar, the Indian hockey team triumphed over South Korea, securing a resounding 4-1 victory to claim the coveted Asia Cup title. This marks the fourth time India has risen to the top in this prestigious tournament. With this win, India has now qualified for the World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. The victory spurred congratulatory messages from various dignitaries, including PM Modi.
What PM Modi Said
On India's monumental victory, PM Modi expressed on Ex, congratulating the men’s hockey team for their stellar performance at the Asia Cup 2025 in Rajgir. He highlighted the triumph over reigning champions South Korea as an additional feather in their cap, celebrating it as a moment of pride for Indian hockey and sports at large. 'May our players continue to achieve great heights and bring glory to our nation,' he wished.
Extending their best wishes along with PM Modi were Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, with Priyanka emphasizing the national pride felt across the country.
Post-Victory Words from Hardik Singh
Reflecting on the victory, Indian hockey sensation Hardik Singh shared, 'Our mindset was clear—qualifying for the World Cup and asserting our dominance in Asia. This tournament was our statement. We knew we could take on any team.'
Source: aajtak
Hockey India's Announcement
In celebration of the remarkable win, Hockey India revealed its reward plan, announcing a prize of ₹300,000 for each player and ₹150,000 for the support staff. A similar gesture of appreciation was last made in 2017, following India's victory over Malaysia in the Asia Cup.
Match Highlights Between the Teams
The thrilling finale began with a bang as India's Sukhjeet Singh scored in the very first minute of the opening quarter, putting India ahead. By the end of the first half, India had extended their lead to 2-0, with steady goals in both quarters. Despite South Korea's aggressive gameplay, they couldn't convert their chances into goals.
Source: aajtak
As the third quarter neared its end, India once again found the back of the net, making it 3-0. The excitement peaked when India was awarded a penalty corner in the 50th minute of the fourth quarter. Rohidas seized the opportunity, successfully scoring. Although South Korea managed to score once in the same quarter, India was undeterred, ending the match with a 4-1 lead and adopting a defensive strategy to secure their undeniable victory.
