Kakamigahara, September 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India secured a medal in women’s hockey at the Asian Games 2026 after defeating South Korea 2-0 in the semifinal in Kakamigahara, Japan, on Wednesday to book their place in the gold-medal match.
Ishika opened the scoring in the third quarter before an own goal early in the final quarter helped India seal the victory and maintain their unbeaten run in the tournament.
The Salima Tete-led side will face China in Friday’s final as India chase their first Asian Games women’s hockey gold since 1982.
India dominated possession and territory for much of the contest but found South Korea’s disciplined defence difficult to break down in the opening half.
India earned several penalty corners in the first quarter but could not convert them. They also created opportunities from open play, with Lalremsiami Hmarzote unable to finish after receiving a well-placed pass from Navneet Kaur.
South Korea looked to threaten from both flanks, but India remained organised defensively as the opening quarter ended goalless.
India continued to press in the second quarter and came close again from a penalty corner when Navneet unleashed a powerful strike, only for the South Korean goalkeeper to produce an excellent save.
Despite sustained pressure from India, South Korea held firm and the teams went into the half-time break locked at 0-0.
India resumed after the change of ends with continued control of possession, patiently building attacks through midfield and looking for openings on both flanks.
The breakthrough finally came in the 44th minute when Ishika produced a fine finish to put India 1-0 ahead.
India doubled their advantage early in the fourth quarter following a move initiated by captain Salima Tete. The skipper carried the ball into the circle from the right before cutting it back from the baseline, with the ball deflecting off a South Korean defender’s stick and ending up in the net.
South Korea attempted to respond, but India remained composed and continued to apply pressure. The Indian defence also held firm as South Korea tried to find a way back into the contest.
The victory keeps alive India’s bid to end a 44-year wait for their second women’s hockey gold medal at the Asian Games.
India had entered the semifinal unbeaten after beginning their campaign with emphatic wins over Uzbekistan (19-0), Indonesia (17-1) and Thailand (20-1), followed by victories against hosts Japan (3-1) and Singapore (7-0) in the pool stage.
South Korea, who finished second in Pool A, had won four of their five matches before the semifinal, with their only defeat coming against China.
India will now face China in the final on Friday, with the gold medal at stake.
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