India defeated South Korea 4-1 in the final on Sunday at Rajgir, Bihar, to win their fourth Hockey Men’s Asia Cup title. The victory guarantees India’s spot in the World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands next year and is their first continental championship in eight years.

The home team’s goals came from Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, and Amit Rohidas, with Dilpreet scoring twice. Son Dain of Korea scored a consoling goal in the last quarter, but it was insufficient to stop India’s supremacy. Jugraj Singh came very close to adding to the score, but his penalty attempt was saved.

After crushing China 7-0 in the Super 4s, India went into the final full of confidence, and the win rounded off an unforgettable campaign. With two goals from Abhishek and goals from Shilanand Lakra, Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, and Sukhjeet Singh, that victory demonstrated their attacking depth.

After winning the Asia Cup in 2003, 2007, and 2017, this is India’s fourth Asia Cup victory. South Korea, which won five titles in 1994, 1999, 2009, 2013, and 2022, is still the most successful team in the competition’s history.

Hockey India has paid out Rs 3 lakh to each player after the men’s team won the Asia Cup after defeating South Korea 4-1 in a thrilling final held at the Rajgir Sports Complex on Sunday. The stadium was crowded with spectators who came to support the home team.

The Indian men’s team’s support crew will also get Rs 1.5 lakh apiece. The eight-year wait for India to restore its dominance on the continent has come to an end with this victory. Additionally, India has earned a spot in the Netherlands and Belgium for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup in 2026.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the Indian men’s hockey team after won the Asia Cup. He tweeted, “Congratulations to our Men’s Hockey Team for their fantastic victory in the Asia Cup 2025 held in Rajgir, Bihar,” on X. The fact that they overcame South Korea, the reigning champions, makes their victory even more memorable.

“Indian hockey and Indian sports are proud of this moment. I hope our athletes keep reaching new heights and honoring the country even more.

“I would also like to appreciate the Government and people of Bihar, whose efforts have ensured Rajgir hosted a brilliant tournament and has become a vibrant sporting hub,” he continued.

India’s two fifth-place finishes in 1982 and 1994 are their best results at the Men’s Hockey World Cup since they won the championship in 1975.

The squad has participated in all 15 of the tournament’s previous iterations, including the most recent one, which was held in 2023 in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.