Jalandhar: The Indian Men’s Hockey Team completed an unbeaten league-stage campaign at the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 on Monday with an 8-0 victory over Korea at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar.
Dilpreet Singh affirmed India’s dominant form by scoring twice, while Jugraj Singh, captain Harmanpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjeet Singh, Sanjay, and Angad Bir Singh maintained the pressure with a goal each. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Punjab Shri Bhagwant Singh Mann and Dutch hockey legend Floris Jan Bovelander maintained an official presence at the stadium and met both squads prior to the match.
India established immediate control during the opening quarter. Dilpreet Singh opened the scoring in the eighth minute, before Jugraj Singh doubled the lead from a penalty corner rebound in the 11th minute. Harmanpreet Singh asserted India’s tactical superiority with a third goal off a penalty corner in the 15th minute, taking his overall tournament tally to nine goals.
The Indian squad extended the advantage during the third quarter through four additional goals. Shilanand Lakra converted a rebound in the 33rd minute, followed a minute later by Sukhjeet Singh’s strike. Sanjay added another in the 36th minute, before Dilpreet Singh recorded his second goal in the 40th minute. Angad Bir Singh concluded the scoring in the 60th minute after driving through the Korean defence.
Sanjay, who earned the Player of the Match award, declared that the team was pleased to secure the top spot in the pool standings. India concluded the round-robin stage with 15 points and a +29 goal difference. In other fixtures, Japan secured a 2-1 win over Malaysia to finish second with 10 points, while China and Bangladesh played out a 1-1 draw.
India will now meet fourth-placed Korea in the semi-finals, while second-placed Japan face third-placed Malaysia as the tournament transitions to the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali on November 4, ahead of the medal matches on November 5.
