India hockey win: 8-0 against South Korea seals unbeaten league run

An India hockey win by 8-0 over South Korea in Jalandhar on Monday completed a perfect league campaign in the Asian Champions Trophy. The defending champions finished with five victories from five matches and will face the same opponents in the semifinals.

Dilpreet Singh scored twice, with his goals arriving in the eighth and 40th minutes. Jugraj Singh, captain Harmanpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjeet Singh, Sanjay and Angad Bir Singh each contributed one goal.

India collected the maximum 15 points to lead the standings. Japan finished ahead of Malaysia and South Korea, with the competition now moving to Mohali for the closing stage.

Four third-quarter goals put contest beyond Korea

Dilpreet opened the scoring after receiving a pass from Jarmanpreet Singh. Jugraj and Harmanpreet extended the advantage, leaving India three goals ahead at the interval.

South Korea earned penalty corners during the second quarter but could not find a way through India's defence. An Indian effort was also ruled out for a back-stick infringement before the break.

India then scored four times in the third quarter. Shilanand and Sukhjeet struck in successive minutes, followed by Sanjay and Dilpreet's second finish as the hosts established a seven-goal cushion.

Angad completed the scoring in the 60th minute. South Korea obtained late penalty corners but remained unable to score, preserving India's clean sheet.

The India hockey win followed earlier league victories over Bangladesh, China, Japan and Malaysia. Those results included a 13-0 success against Bangladesh and a 5-2 victory against China.

The semifinal rematch against South Korea is scheduled for Wednesday in Mohali. Malaysia and Japan will contest the other semifinal, with India continuing its attempt to retain the title.

Also read: Harmanpreet hat-trick takes India past Malaysia 4-2 in Jalandhar | East Bengal women beat Ho Chi Minh City 2-1 in Kolkata