Rajgir, Bihar — In a commanding performance at the 2025 Men’s Hockey Asia Cup, the Indian men’s hockey team clinched the continental title, beating South Korea 4–1 in the final at the Bihar Sports University Hockey Stadium on 7 September 2025. This triumph not only secured India’s fourth Asia Cup crown but also booked the team’s spot at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
🏑 Tournament Overview — Eight Teams, High Stakes
The 12th edition of the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup took place from 29 August to 7 September 2025 in Rajgir, featuring eight top Asian hockey nations battling for continental supremacy and World Cup qualification. Pakistan and Oman withdrew before the tournament, with Bangladesh and Kazakhstan taking their places in the draw.
📊 Road to the Final — Super 4s & Big Wins
India’s campaign in the Super 4s stage featured a series of impressive performances:
- A 2–2 draw with South Korea — a hard-fought battle opening the Super 4s phase.
- A convincing 4–1 victory over Malaysia, showcasing clinical finishing and tactical discipline.
- A 7–0 demolition of China, highlighted by dominant attacking play and sharp goal-scoring.
These results propelled India to the top of the Super 4s table and into the final clash with South Korea.
🏆 The Final — India Triumphs 4–1
In the title match, India delivered a composed and powerful performance. The team combined strong defense with fast transitions and lethal finishing to defeat South Korea 4–1 in front of passionate home support. Victory in Rajgir marked India’s fourth Asia Cup title, adding to previous wins in 2003, 2007 and 2017.
🌍 World Cup Qualification & Next Steps
By lifting the Asia Cup trophy, India has cemented its place among the top Asian teams and earned automatic qualification for the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup. The World Cup qualification adds further importance to this continental success, offering India the chance to compete on hockey’s biggest global stage.
🎖️ Final Standings & Awards (Asia Cup 2025)
- 🥇 Champions: India
- 🥈 Runners-up: South Korea
- 🥉 Third Place: Malaysia (beat China 4–1)
- 🌐 Qualification secured for FIH Hockey World Cup 2026
- 🏅 Individual honors included the top scorer and standout performers across teams.
Tuleshwar Dhiwar says: 
