India Beat China 7-0 Asia Cup: Dominance Into Final

India delivered a statement performance at the Men’s Asia Cup Hockey 2025, trouncing China 7–0 in their Super 4s match at Rajgir. This emphatic win secured their place in the final, where they’ll face defending champions South Korea—a highly anticipated rematch under the finals’ spotlight.

Match Highlights: A Complete Dominance

India opened with an early flurry in the first quarter—Shilanand Lakra scored in the 4th minute, followed by Dilpreet Singh in the 7th. They extended the lead to 3–0 by halftime thanks to Mandeep Singh‘s accurate finish.

India sealed the third quarter with strikes from Raj Kumar Pal (37’) and Sukhjeet Singh (39’). Meanwhile, Abhishek capped off the rout with a brace in the final quarter (46’ and 50’), sealing a 7–0 result.

Clever use of aerial passes caught China’s deep defense off guard. As defender Sumit explained, the shift to an aerial playing style capitalized on China’s known defensive setup.

India’s Path & Tactical Shift

Earlier in the Super 4s, India drew 2–2 with South Korea. They missed several chances and battled tough conditions. However, they bounced back impressively by thrashing Malaysia 4–1 in their next match. Furthermore, this strong performance reignited the team’s rhythm.

Notably, India had also edged China 4–3 in a tight pool-stage match, with Harmanpreet Singh scoring a hat-trick. Consequently, their 7–0 win over China in the Super 4 stage reflected both strategy and execution sharpened.

Final Clash Ahead

India then topped the Super 4s table with 7 points, ensuring a spot in the tournament final. Meanwhile, South Korea secured the second place with 4 points. As a result, India will face Korea in a decisive high-stakes final.

Additionally, this final match serves as a direct qualifier for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. Coach Craig Fulton praised India’s blazing start. Moreover, he emphasized the team’s focus as they prepare to challenge the defending champions.