The Indian men’s hockey team is just one step away from securing a place in the Asia Cup 2025 final, but will need to bring their best game against China in the last Super 4 clash on Saturday, September 6.
India’s Road So Far
After a disappointing 2–2 draw against five-time champions South Korea, India bounced back strongly with a 4–1 victory over Malaysia in their second Super 4 match. The win boosted the confidence of Harmanpreet Singh’s men ahead of the decisive clash with China.
Currently, India tops the Super 4 standings with four points from two matches, while both China and Malaysia trail closely behind with three points each. South Korea, with just one point, is already out of contention. The top two teams from this stage will qualify for the final.
Fulton’s Caution
Head coach Craig Fulton praised the team’s improvement against Malaysia but warned that more is expected:
“It is still not the best performance of the team. The players know they can do much more. The key is to focus on details and improve execution,” Fulton said.
Key Performances
-
Midfield strength: Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, and Rajinder Singh have been pivotal, controlling the midfield and linking up effectively with forwards.
-
Forwards on target: Abhishek, Sukhjit Singh, and Mandeep Singh led the attack well against Malaysia, but the team needs to be sharper in finishing chances.
-
Penalty corner struggles: Despite having specialists like Harmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, and Amit Rohidas, India managed to convert only one goal out of six penalty corners against Malaysia — and that too from a rebound.
Why China is Dangerous
China, who lost 4–3 to India in the pool stage, has shown remarkable improvement since then. Any lapse from India could hurt their chances not just in the Asia Cup, but also in direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, in the other Super 4 encounter, Malaysia will take on South Korea.
The Impact
A win or even a draw against China will be enough for India to reach the Asia Cup 2025 final. However, with World Cup qualification also on the line, the Men in Blue cannot afford mistakes in penalty corners or defense.
This clash is more than just about reaching the final — it’s about proving India’s consistency at the top level of Asian hockey.
Disclaimer: blackfoxnews has not edited this news. This news has been published from the feed of PTI-language.
also read –Â Xiaomi 16 Ultra Expected to Launch with Iconic Leica Branding: All Details Inside
