Shilanand Lakra, Dilpreet Singh score twice each as defending champions storm into final; Mohali crowd witnesses India’s first international match at the stadium
Mohali : Defending champions India stormed into the final of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 with a commanding 8-1 victory over South Korea in the semi-final at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium, Mohali, on Wednesday. India will now face Japan in Thursday’s title clash as they aim to clinch a record-extending sixth championship.
Shilanand Lakra (4th, 13th minute) and Dilpreet Singh (21st, 25th) scored two goals each, while Harmanpreet Singh (9th), Sukhjeet Singh (21st), Angad Bir Singh (36th) and Vivek Sagar Prasad (54th) added one goal apiece. Sangjun Han (9th) scored the lone goal for South Korea.
The match marked India’s first-ever international appearance at the Mohali stadium, with a packed crowd cheering the hosts throughout. The five-time champions continued their unbeaten run, having won all five league-stage matches.
India took an early lead in the fourth minute when Dilpreet and Sukhjeet combined brilliantly before the former’s cross from the baseline was deflected into the net by Shilanand. South Korea briefly drew level through Sangjun Han in the ninth minute, but skipper Harmanpreet restored India’s lead with a powerful penalty-corner drag-flick in the same minute.
Shilanand struck again in the 13th minute, capitalising on a rebound after Harmanpreet’s penalty-corner attempt was saved. India extended their advantage in the second quarter as Sukhjeet scored with a reverse-flick in the 21st minute. Dilpreet then netted twice in quick succession, first combining with Angad before converting Harmanpreet’s long aerial pass with a reverse-flick in the 25th minute. India went into half-time leading 6-1.
After the change of ends, South Korea’s troubles increased when captain Kim Yong Bok received a five-minute yellow card for his team having more than 11 players on the field. Angad made it 7-1 in the 36th minute, finishing a move initiated by Jarmanpreet Singh’s run down the right flank.
India continued to dominate in the final quarter, with Vivek Sagar Prasad completing the rout in the 54th minute through an impressive solo effort and reverse hit.
Dilpreet was named Player of the Match for his two-goal contribution. Highlighting the team effort, he said, “Our aim was to execute our plans. It doesn’t matter who scores and who doesn’t. It is very special to play in Punjab, with our families in the stands and represent India in front of them. Thanks to all the fans for their energy. We look forward to seeing the fans in the final as well.”
Earlier, Japan defeated Malaysia 5-3 in a shootout after their first semi-final ended goalless in regulation time. In the classification match, China beat Bangladesh 3-1 to finish fifth.
India will take on Japan in the final on Thursday, November 5, at 7 pm IST in Mohali, aiming to extend their record as the tournament’s most successful team with a sixth title.
