JALANDHAR, November 2: India completed a dominant unbeaten run in the league stage of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, thrashing Korea 8-0 to register their fifth consecutive victory and book a semi-final meeting with the same opponents.
Dilpreet Singh struck twice, while captain Harmanpreet Singh continued his remarkable scoring run with his ninth goal of the tournament as India finished top of the standings with 15 points from five matches at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium on Monday.Jugraj Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjeet Singh, Sanjay and Angad Bir Singh were the other scorers in India’s emphatic victory.
India will face Korea again in the first semi-final at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali on November 4 at 7 pm. Japan will take on Malaysia in the other semi-final at 4.30 pm.
India made an aggressive start, with Dilpreet opening the scoring in the eighth minute through a backhand finish. Jugraj doubled the advantage from a penalty corner in the 11th minute before Harmanpreet converted another set-piece opportunity in the 15th minute to give the hosts a commanding 3-0 lead.
Korea attempted to fight back in the second quarter and earned several penalty corners, but India’s defence remained resolute. Goalkeeper Pathak also produced a crucial save to deny Son Dain in a one-on-one situation in the 27th minute.
India shifted gears after the interval, unleashing a four-goal burst in the third quarter. Shilanand Lakra made it 4-0 in the 33rd minute, capitalising on a rebound following a penalty-corner variation.
Sukhjeet added the fifth a minute later with a neat deflection off Aditya Arjun Lalage’s pass, while Sanjay extended the lead in the 36th minute.
Dilpreet completed his brace in the 40th minute, getting the final touch to a move initiated by Harmanpreet’s long aerial pass and Sanjay’s effort towards goal.
With the contest firmly under control, India managed the final quarter before Angad Bir Singh produced a superb solo effort in the 60th minute, beating the advancing goalkeeper to complete the 8-0 rout.
Sanjay was named Player of the Match.India finished the league stage with an impressive goal difference of +29. Japan secured second place with 10 points, followed by Malaysia (9) and Korea (6). China finished fifth with two points, while Bangladesh were sixth with one.In the other matches, China and Bangladesh played out a 1-1 draw, while Japan edged Malaysia 2-1.
India will now look to carry their formidable form into the knockout stage as they chase another Asian Champions Trophy title.
