Hockey Asia Cup: India Defeat Korea 4-2

Hangzhou: The Indian women’s hockey team continued their unbeaten run at the Women’s Asia Cup, defeating South Korea 4-2 in their first Super 4s match at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium on Wednesday.

Vaishnavi Phalke (2’), Sangita Kumari (33’), Lalremsiami (40’), and Rutuja Pisal (59’) were on target for India, while Kim Yujin (33’, 53’) scored both goals for Korea from penalty corners.

India made a dream start, winning a penalty corner inside the opening two minutes. Vaishnavi Phalke capitalised on a rebound to hand India an early lead. The team dominated possession in the first half, with goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam pulling off a crucial save late in the second quarter to preserve the 1-0 advantage at halftime.

The third quarter saw end-to-end action, with Sangita Kumari doubling India’s lead before Kim Yujin quickly pulled one back for Korea. Lalremsiami then restored India’s two-goal cushion with a clinical strike to make it 3-1.

Korea reduced the deficit again in the final quarter through Yujin’s second penalty corner conversion, but Rutuja Pisal sealed the result in the 59th minute with a diving finish from a rebound.

India now face hosts China on Thursday in what is expected to be their toughest challenge of the tournament. The team must win the Women’s Asia Cup to secure qualification for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.