India continued its ruthless form in the
The match saw India maintain control from the opening whistle, effectively extending a seven-year winning streak against the Korean side. While Korea, currently fielding a youthful squad, attempted to disrupt the rhythm, the gulf in class was evident throughout the contest. India’s attacking intensity ensured that the result was never in doubt, even as the visitors managed a brief moment of resistance early in the first quarter.
A Clinical Display of Attacking Hockey
The scoring opened in the fourth minute when Shilanand Lakra lifted the ball into the net, setting the tone for a high-scoring affair. Although Han Sangjun briefly leveled the score for Korea in the ninth minute, India responded with relentless pressure. By the end of the first quarter, the hosts had established a 3-1 lead, which they expanded to 6-1 by halftime. The scoring spree featured contributions from Harmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Angad Bir Singh, and Vivek Sagar Prasad, who collectively dismantled the Korean defense.
While the pace of the game dipped slightly in the third quarter, India remained in command. Korea’s goalkeeper, Kim Jaehyeon, produced several notable saves to prevent further damage, but the outcome was effectively sealed long before the final whistle. In the day's earlier semifinal, Japan secured their spot in the final by overcoming Malaysia in a dramatic shoot-out. Following a scoreless regulation period, Japan’s defensive discipline and goalkeeper Takumi Kitagawa’s heroics proved decisive, as they edged out their opponents 5-3 in the shoot-out. The final between India and Japan is scheduled for Thursday, marking the first time these two nations will meet in the tournament's championship match.
