India are one step away from qualifying for the next Men’s Hockey World Cup, as they have reached the Final of the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025 after thrashing China by 7-0 in the last round of the Super 4s. India will face South Korea in the Final of the tournament on Sunday (7th September), who claimed a dramatic victory against Malaysia to reach the Final.
The winner of the Final will qualify for next year’s Men’s Hockey World Cup. Meanwhile, the runners-up of the ongoing men’s Asia Cup and the next top four teams will play the World Cup qualifiers.
Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025: Super 4s
South Korea 4 – 3 Malaysia
Malaysia not only scored the opening goal of the match, but they were also ahead by 1-3, but South Korea stunned in the final quarter with two back-to-back goals to snatch a thrilling win that ultimately guided them to qualify for the Final as China lost against the hosts India.
While Fitri Saari scored the first goal of the match in the ninth minute to put Malaysia ahead in the game through a field goal, South Korea equalised the scoreline after Kim Hyeonhong successfully converted from the penalty corner in the 24th minute.
Aiman Rozemi and Syed Cholan added the next two goals for Malaysia in the 29th and 31st minutes through the field goal and penalty corner, respectively. South Korea made the scoreline 2-3 close to the third quarter after OH Seyong scored a field goal in the 44th minute.
South Korean captain Lee Jungjun equalised the scoreline in the 50th minute through a field goal. In the next minute, Kim Hyeonhong scored his second goal of the day through another successful penalty corner, which ultimately proved as the winning goal.
India 7 – 0 China
Hosts India just thrashed China by 7-0, against whom they started a 4-3 close win in their tournament opener, to seal the top place in the Super 4s of the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025, as they are the only unbeaten team in the tournament with five wins and one draw.
In their last game in the Super 4s, India scored goals in each quarter. In the first quarter, Shilanand Lakra and Dilpreet Singh scored the first two goals before the 10th minute of the match through a field goal and a penalty corner, respectively. In the second quarter, India scored one goal as Mandeep Singh added the third goal from another successful penalty corner.
All remaining Indian goals came from field goals. In the third quarter, Raj Kumar Pal and Sukhjeet Singh scored the fourth and fifth goals, respectively. Abhishek scored twice in the last quarter to make the experience worse for China.
Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025: Super 4s Points Table
Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
India | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 3 | +10 | 7 |
South Korea | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 4 |
Malaysia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 3 |
China | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 9 | -6 | 3 |
Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025: 7th-8th Place
Chinese Taipei 4 – 6 Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan finished in the seventh position in the competition after beating Chinese Taipei by 4-6, as both now can’t qualify for the World Cup qualifiers. It was the first win for Kazakhstan in the tournament, while Chinese Taipei have lost all the fixtures in this competition.
