Sports

India Crush South Korea 8-1 to Reach Asian Champions Trophy Final

By Nitesh Dubey

India delivered a dominant performance to reach the final of the Asian Champions Trophy 2026, beating South Korea 8‑1 in the semi‑final in Mohali on Wednesday. The hosts kept their unbeaten run intact, scoring eight goals and advancing to face Japan after Japan defeated Malaysia in the other semi‑final. South Korea will play Malaysia for the bronze medal.

India opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Shilanand Lakra converted a pass from Dilpreet Singh, who had run down the left side. South Korea equalised nine minutes later when Han Sangjun headed past goalkeeper Suraj Karkera after a pass from Song. The equaliser did not deter India.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh restored the lead from a penalty corner with a powerful drag‑flick, his tenth goal of the tournament. He added a second goal from a rebound after a save. Shilanand Lakra finished his brace with a close‑range finish.

Sukhjeet Singh increased the margin to 4‑1 in the 19th minute with a no‑look finish after a pass from Sanjay. Dilpreet Singh added a goal in the 20th minute after a quick one‑two with Angad Bir Singh. In the 25th minute, Harmanpreet passed to Dilpreet, who struck from a tight angle to make it 6‑1.

Angad Bir Singh scored the seventh goal in the 36th minute after a pass from Jarmanpreet Singh. The hosts had a penalty corner in the third quarter but Amandeep Lakra’s effort was saved. In the final quarter, Harmanpreet nearly created a chance with an aerial pass, but Angad’s reverse‑hit missed.

The eighth goal came in the 54th minute when Vivek Sagar Prasad made a diagonal run, controlled the ball and hit a reverse‑hit shot that deflected off the goalkeeper’s pads to seal the 8‑1 victory for India.