RAJGIR, Sept 8 — Indian men’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh has attributed the team’s Asia Cup 2025 victory to swift analysis and learning from past mistakes, emphasizing that their next major goal is the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
India clinched the Asia Cup title after an emphatic 4–1 win over defending champions South Korea in the final held at the Rajgir Sports Complex in Bihar. The win marked India’s fourth Asia Cup title and ended an eight-year drought at the continental tournament. With this triumph, India also secured direct qualification for the upcoming World Cup.
Reflecting on the team’s journey, Harmanpreet said, “We learn from every match. I always say there is plus and minus after every game. What matters is how you analyse those things and how fast you work on it. As a team, we have defended well and the scoring has been great”.
India entered the Asia Cup on the back of a disappointing run in the FIH Pro League, where they suffered seven consecutive defeats and conceded 26 goals in eight matches—the worst losing streak in the team’s history. However, the turnaround was dramatic. In Rajgir, India conceded only nine goals across seven matches while scoring 39, showcasing a strong balance between attack and defense.
Harmanpreet praised the forwards for their clinical finishing and credited the team’s cohesion for the success. “We have given a tough fight to our opponents in the last few games and that’s why our result has been great. Credit goes to the forwards for converting opportunities into goals. We want to continue this form,” he added.
The final saw goals from Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh (who scored twice), and Amit Rohidas, while South Korea managed a consolation goal through Dain Son. India’s performance was lauded by former players and officials. Ex-captain Viren Rasquinha highlighted the team’s disciplined defense, while Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey called the win “a proud moment for the nation and an inspiration for future generations of hockey players”.
With the Asia Cup behind them, the Indian squad now shifts focus to preparing for the World Cup, aiming to build on their momentum and deliver a strong performance on the global stage. Harmanpreet emphasized that the Asia Cup was “just one step” and that the team is committed to continuous improvement ahead of 2026.
