Defending champions India maintained their unbeaten run in the men’s hockey competition at the Asian Games 2026 with a commanding 8-2 victory over South Korea on Thursday.
Dilpreet Singh continued his prolific form by scoring a hat-trick, while Shailanand Lakra, Harmanpreet Singh, Abhishek and Rajinder Singh also found the net as India strengthened their position in the group.
India made a flying start, taking the lead in the fourth minute through Shailanand, who finished from close range after Abhishek’s effort was blocked and fell to him on the rebound.
Dilpreet doubled the advantage in the ninth minute with a powerful strike from the centre that deflected off the goalkeeper and found the net. Two minutes later, captain Harmanpreet converted India’s first penalty corner to make it 3-0.
Abhishek added another before the end of the opening quarter, with Shailanand providing the assist, leaving India four goals ahead after 15 minutes.
South Korea struggled to create openings as India continued to control possession and territory. Dilpreet struck again in the 26th minute, deflecting a pass from Manpreet Singh past the Korean goalkeeper to give India a 5-0 lead at half-time.
The Indian forward completed his hat-trick seven minutes into the third quarter when he received a quick pass from Rajinder and finished with a tomahawk strike.
India continued to press despite missing several penalty-corner opportunities. Abhishek then added his second goal after a flowing team move, reacting quickly after Sukhjeet Singh’s shot was saved to make it 7-0.
South Korea finally opened its account through Kim Jaeho in the 42nd minute, reducing the deficit to six goals at the end of the third quarter.
Kim Yongbok scored South Korea’s second in the 52nd minute, but India remained firmly in control. Rajinder completed the scoring for India with a late goal to seal the 8-2 win.
The victory follows India’s emphatic wins over Indonesia and Sri Lanka, whom they defeated 13-1 and 16-1 respectively.
India will next face Japan on September 26 before taking on Bangladesh on September 28 in their remaining group matches. The defending champions are targeting another Asian Games title, with the competition also offering a direct qualification route to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
