India advanced to their second consecutive men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey final with a dominant 4-1 victory against Korea in the semifinals on September 14, 2024, in Hulunbuir. Captain Harmanpreet Singh led by example, scoring a hat-trick, as India dominated the game from the start.
Uttam Singh scored India’s first goal in the 13th minute, giving the team a 1-0 lead. Korea struggled to stay up, generating few opportunities in the first quarter. India increased their advantage in the second quarter with a penalty corner, Harmanpreet’s drag-flick bouncing off a Korean stick to make it 2-0 at the break.
In the third quarter, India increased their lead when Jarmanpreet Singh scored off a loose ball. Korea soon answered with a penalty corner convert from Jihun Yang, bringing the score to 3-1. However, India maintained control, with Harmanpreet netting his second goal from a penalty corner before the quarter ended, putting the score 4-1.
Jarmanpreet, Amit Rohidas, and goalie Krishan Bahadur Pathak played excellent defence to restrict Korea from having any more chances while India controlled possession in the last quarter. India will now meet China in the final tomorrow, trying to win back-to-back titles.
