Kakamigahara, 24 September (H.S.): The Indian men’s hockey team continued its impressive campaign at the Asian Games 2026 on Thursday with an emphatic 8-2 victory over South Korea, recording its biggest-ever win against the Koreans in Asian Games history.

The defending champions secured their third consecutive victory in Pool A, dominating proceedings for most of the match and taking another significant step towards securing a place in the semifinals.

With two goals in the match, Dilpreet Singh took his tournament tally to nine, making him the leading goal-scorer in the men’s competition so far. Abhishek also scored twice, while captain Harmanpreet Singh, Rajinder Singh, Sukhjeet Singh and Shilanand Lakra scored one goal each.

The match began in hot conditions, although the weather improved as the second quarter progressed, with a cooler breeze setting in.

India capitalised on its early pressure in the fourth minute when a high ball inside the Korean circle was brought under control and set up for Lakra, who finished off a fine move to give India a 1-0 lead.

Sukhjeet Singh doubled the advantage in the 10th minute with a superb finish following another entry into the circle. A minute later, Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner to make it 3-0, beating the goalkeeper with a powerful flick.

Abhishek came close to adding another goal soon after, but India did not have to wait long for the fourth. In the 15th minute, Manpreet’s aerial ball found Lakra, who then played it across the face of goal to Abhishek. The forward made no mistake, unleashing a powerful slap-push to send India into the first break with a 4-0 lead.

India continued to apply pressure in the second quarter. South Korea managed to thwart another promising move involving Abhishek, but India eventually found its fifth goal in the 26th minute. Abhishek passed to Mandeep inside the circle, and Dilpreet provided the decisive touch to Mandeep’s reverse push, making it 5-0 at half-time.

India raised the tempo in the third quarter and added another goal in the 32nd minute. Hardik’s pass reached Dilpreet, who produced a reverse hit into the backboard to score his second goal of the match.

A series of penalty corners further increased the pressure on South Korea.

South Korea earned its first penalty corner of the match, but Amit Rohidas produced an excellent defensive intervention to deny the opposition. India extended its lead to 7-0 in the 38th minute after Raj Kumar’s shot struck the crossbar, allowing Abhishek to complete the move with a goal.

South Korea finally found the breakthrough in the 42nd minute when Jeho Kim scored to make it 7-1 at the end of the third quarter.

South Korea created a few more opportunities in the final quarter, but India’s defence and goalkeeper Mohit kept the Koreans at bay. The four-time champions, however, reduced the deficit to 7-2 in the 52nd minute when Yongbok Kim capitalised on a weak defensive challenge from Jarmanpreet Singh to score a field goal.

With just 38 seconds remaining, India added its eighth goal. Rajinder advanced and unleashed a powerful flick that found the backboard, sealing an emphatic 8-2 victory for India.

The match was also a memorable occasion for Indian playmaker Vivek Sagar Prasad, who completed 200 senior international appearances for the country. He was felicitated before the match to mark the milestone.

India will next face hosts Japan on September 26.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar