Rajgir (Bihar) :The roar of a packed Rajgir Sports Complex turned historic on Sunday evening as India defeated Korea 4-1 to clinch the Hero Asia Cup Rajgir, Bihar 2025. With this emphatic win, India not only ended an eight-year wait for the continental crown but also sealed qualification for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 to be hosted in the Netherlands and Belgium.

India last won the Asia Cup in Dhaka in 2017. On Sunday, goals from Dilpreet Singh (28’, 45’), Sukhjeet Singh (1’), and Amit Rohidas (50’) ensured the hosts stamped their dominance.

Celebrating the triumph, Hockey India announced a cash reward of ₹3 lakh each for players and ₹1.5 lakh each for support staff.

India’s Early Strike and Missed Chances

The match opened with fireworks. Within the first 30 seconds, Sukhjeet Singh stunned the Korean defence with a thunderous tomahawk strike, capitalising on a precise pass from captain Harmanpreet Singh. The home crowd erupted, setting the tone for a high-voltage final.

India nearly doubled their lead six minutes before the end of the first quarter when a penalty stroke was awarded after Mandeep Singh’s attempt was illegally stopped by a Korean defender. However, Jugaraj Singh’s strike was blocked by goalkeeper Jae-han Kim, denying India.

Dilpreet at the Heart of Attack

The second quarter saw Korea slow India’s pace, forcing the hosts to work harder. India’s first penalty corner in the 19th minute was overturned after Korea successfully reviewed. But in the 28th minute, Dilpreet Singh broke through, slotting home after Harmanpreet’s long pass was relayed by Sanjay.

In the third quarter, despite being reduced to 10 men following Sanjay’s green card, India pressed hard. Dilpreet was again in the thick of action, scoring his second in the 45th minute after Raj Kumar Pal’s attempt was deflected his way.

Minutes later, he forced another penalty corner that Amit Rohidas clinically converted, extending India’s lead to 4-0.

Korea Pulls One Back, India Holds Firm

Korea’s resistance finally bore fruit early in the fourth quarter when Yang Jihoon engineered a smart penalty corner variation, with Son Daeun finishing to make it 4-1. But by then, India’s control and hunger had left little room for a comeback.

As the final whistle blew, players embraced, and the stands reverberated with chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”. India had not only reclaimed Asia’s hockey throne but also restored belief ahead of the World Cup.