Mohali, November 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India produced a commanding performance to thrash South Korea 8-1 in the semifinal of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2026 on Wednesday, booking their place in the title clash against Japan at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali.
The emphatic victory also marked the first international match hosted by the stadium, putting the venue on the international hockey map.
Shilanand Lakra opened India’s account in the fourth minute with a field goal, but South Korea responded through Sangjun Han in the ninth minute to level the score.
India quickly regained control as captain Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner in the ninth minute. Lakra added his second goal through another penalty corner in the 13th minute, before Sukhjeet Singh and Dilpreet Singh struck field goals in the 21st minute.
Dilpreet extended India’s lead with his second goal in the 25th minute, taking the score to 6-1. Angad Bir Singh made it 7-1 in the 36th minute, while Vivek Sagar Prasad completed the rout with a field goal in the 54th minute.
India will now face Japan in the final on November 5 at the same venue.
Japan secured their place in the title clash after defeating Malaysia 5-3 in a penalty shootout following a goalless semifinal. Kazumasa Matsumoto, Ryoma Ooka, Tsubasa Tanaka, Haruki Ochiai and Seren Tanaka converted for Japan. Aiman Rozemi, Shello Silverious and Abu Kamal Azrai scored for Malaysia.
Malaysia will take on South Korea in the bronze-medal match.
In an earlier classification match, China defeated Bangladesh 3-1 to finish fifth in the tournament. Yulai Zhao (10th minute), Yaqi Wang (18th) and captain Chongcong Chen (22nd) scored for China, with Chen converting a penalty stroke. Shohanur Muhammad Rahman scored Bangladesh’s lone goal through a penalty corner in the 48th minute.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh, Sangrur MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh were among the dignitaries present to witness India’s semifinal victory.
Several former hockey stars and Olympians also attended the match, including World Cup-winning captain Ajitpal Singh, Aslam Sher Khan, Zafar Iqbal, Balbir Singh Randhawa, Rajinder Singh Senior, Rani Rampal, Sardar Singh, Baljit Singh Dhillon, Rajpal Singh, Prabhjot Singh and Deepak Thakur. Kabir Singh, grandson of legendary hockey player Balbir Singh Senior, was also present.
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