India Thrash South Korea 8-1 to Set Up Asian Champions Trophy Final Against Japan

Shilanand Lakra and Dilpreet Singh scored twice each as defending champions India produced an eight-goal spectacle in Mohali. The five-time winners will now face Japan on November 5 with a record-extending sixth Asian Champions Trophy title at stake.

India delivered a statement performance in front of a packed crowd at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium, defeating South Korea 8-1 to storm into the final of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 on Wednesday.

The defending champions carried their unbeaten league-stage form into the semi-final, overwhelming Korea with an attacking display that produced eight goals. Shilanand Lakra and Dilpreet Singh scored twice each, while Harmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Angad Bir Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad also found the net.

Sangjun Han scored Korea's only goal in the ninth minute, but India responded almost immediately and never allowed the visitors to build momentum.

The victory was particularly significant as it marked India's first-ever international match at the Mohali stadium. The home crowd witnessed a dominant performance from a team that had already won all five of its league-stage matches and finished the preliminary round unbeaten.

India will now face Japan in Thursday's final, scheduled for 7 PM IST, with a sixth title and an extension of its record as the tournament's most successful team within reach.

India started aggressively and needed just four minutes to open the scoring through a well-constructed team move. Dilpreet Singh collected the ball around the nine-yard area inside the striking circle and combined with Sukhjeet Singh before receiving possession again. He then played the ball across the baseline, where Shilanand Lakra produced a close-range deflection to beat the Korean goalkeeper.

South Korea responded in the ninth minute. Sangjun Han deflected a pass from the right past goalkeeper Suraj Karkera to bring the visitors level at 1-1. However, India's response was immediate. A penalty corner provided the opportunity, and captain Harmanpreet Singh unleashed a powerful drag-flick to restore the lead.

India extended its advantage in the 13th minute through another penalty corner. Harmanpreet's initial attempt was saved by goalkeeper Kim Jaehyeon, but Shilanand reacted quickest to the rebound and scored his second goal of the match.

India entered the second quarter with a 3-1 advantage and continued to dictate the attacking exchanges.

Four goals in the second quarter put India in control

After a relatively quiet opening five minutes of the second quarter, India accelerated the contest with a series of clinical attacking moves. Sukhjeet Singh made it 4-1 in the 21st minute with an excellent reverse-flick. He controlled a superb pass from Sanjay, turned past a defender and finished confidently.

India struck again almost immediately. Angad Bir Singh and Dilpreet combined through a neat one-two, with Dilpreet stretching to guide the ball into the net. Dilpreet then completed his brace in the 25th minute. Harmanpreet delivered a long aerial pass into the circle, which Dilpreet controlled before beating the goalkeeper with another reverse-flick.

The six-goal first-half performance reflected India's attacking depth and efficiency. With Korea struggling to contain the movement and finishing of the Indian forwards, the hosts went into half-time with a commanding 6-1 lead.

The third quarter began with an unusual incident involving South Korea. Captain Kim Yong Bok received a five-minute yellow card after the visitors were found to have more than 11 players on the pitch.

India took advantage of the situation and added its seventh goal in the 36th minute. Jarmanpreet Singh made a strong run down the right before sending the ball into the circle, where Angad Bir Singh finished to extend the lead.

India continued to create opportunities and earned another penalty corner after Shilanand was struck by a rebound. However, Amandeep Lakra's attempt was saved by the Korean goalkeeper. South Korea struggled to create meaningful attacking opportunities in the final quarter. Although it earned a penalty corner, Park Geunwoo's effort went wide.

India, meanwhile, had one more goal to celebrate. In the 54th minute, Vivek Sagar Prasad produced an impressive solo effort, carrying the ball from the right into the circle before beating the goalkeeper with a reverse hit.

The scoreline read 8-1, and the final hooter was greeted by celebrations from the packed stands, with fireworks lighting up the Mohali venue.

Dilpreet Singh was named Player of the Match after scoring twice. Reflecting on the performance, he credited the team's collective effort rather than individual contributions. "Our aim was to execute our plans. It doesn't matter who scores and who doesn't. It is very special to play in Punjab, with our families in the stands and represent India in front of them," he said, thanking the supporters for their energy.

Earlier in the day, Japan secured its place in the final after defeating Malaysia 5-3 in a shootout. The first semi-final had ended goalless after regulation time, forcing the contest into a shootout to determine the finalist.

China finished fifth after beating Bangladesh 3-1 in the classification match. India now faces Japan on Thursday, November 5, at 7 PM IST in Mohali. The five-time champions will be aiming to defend their title and secure a record-extending sixth Asian Champions Trophy crown.

Having won all five league matches and delivered an emphatic semi-final performance, India enters the final with considerable momentum. But Japan will present a different challenge, and the hosts will need another disciplined performance to finish their campaign with the trophy.

After an eight-goal display in front of their home supporters, the Indian men's team has set up the perfect opportunity to turn Mohali's first international hockey night into a championship celebration.