The Indian men's hockey team has secured a place in the Asia Cup final after a dominant 7-0 victory over China in their last Super 4s match. The win, a stark contrast to their close group-stage encounter, showcased India's superior form and strategy. With this comprehensive win, India finished at the top of the Super 4s table and will now face defending champions South Korea in the summit clash.
The hosts came out with a blistering pace from the first whistle, leaving the Chinese defense completely rattled. The opening goal came in the 4th minute from Shilanand Lakra, followed by a quick strike from Dilpreet Singh three minutes later. Mandeep Singh added to the tally in the second quarter, ensuring India went into halftime with a comfortable 3-0 lead.
While the pace slowed in the second half, India's dominance continued. Raj Kumar Pal and Sukhjeet Singh scored in the third quarter to push the lead to 5-0, effectively ending any hopes of a Chinese comeback. The relentless Indian attack was too much for the Chinese defense, which had performed well in previous matches. India's strategy to use aerial balls to break down the deep Chinese defense proved to be a masterstroke.
The final quarter was all about Abhishek, who scored a brace to complete the rout. His goals in the 46th and 50th minutes sealed the 7-0 victory, highlighting the team's depth and finishing ability. The performance was a testament to the coaching of Craig Fulton, who had his team well-prepared to exploit China's weaknesses.
India will now face South Korea in the final. The match is set for Sunday, September 7, at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium. It promises to be a much tougher contest than the semifinal, as the last time the two teams met in the Super 4s stage, the match ended in a 2-2 draw. Both teams will be looking to get the better of each other to lift the coveted Asia Cup trophy.
