India crushes South Korea 8‑1 to book final spot

Eight goals from six Indian scorers

Shilanand Lakra opened the scoring with a field goal in the fourth minute and added a second from the rebound in the thirteenth minute, giving India an early lead. Harmanpreet Singh restored the advantage from a penalty‑corner drag‑flick in the ninth minute, his tenth of the tournament, after South Korea had equalised in the same minute.

In the second period India struck three times in five minutes: Sukhjeet Singh finished a no‑look strike in the twenty‑first minute, Dilpreet Singh scored a quick one‑two with Angan Bir Singh in the twenty‑second minute and then added another first‑time shot in the twenty‑fifth minute, extending the tally to six‑one at half‑time.

Angan Bir Singh made it seven‑one with a goal in the thirty‑sixth minute after a pass from Jarmanpreet Singh, and Vivek Sagar Prasad completed the rout with a reverse‑hit that deflected off the South Korean goalkeeper’s pads in the fifty‑fourth minute.

Record‑extending seventh final appearance and unbeaten run

The team topped the six‑team round‑robin league, winning all five matches and remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament.

The win kept India unbeaten in the Asian Champions Trophy 2026, extending its unbeaten run to the semifinal and preserving its perfect record in the event.

Japan set as opponent in the championship final

India will meet Japan in the championship final, with the clash scheduled for Thursday, 5 November.

Japan earned its place by beating Malaysia in a goalless first‑half match and then winning the penalty shootout 5‑3 in the first semifinal, as reported by multiple outlets.

Mohali hosts the final on November 5

The final will be held in Mohali, the same venue that hosted the semifinal on Wednesday.

India’s showdown with Japan is set for Thursday, 5 November, at the Mohali stadium.

Coach Craig Fulton praises first‑half dominance

He added, "First half was very good.

Fulton noted the side is playing with one player less due to striker Abhishek's ankle injury, saying "He's close but not yet (recovered)" and that they have been playing three games with 15 players.

He also said Abhishek remains in the squad for the final, with his participation to be decided later.

Key players and moments beyond the goals

Suraj Karkera guarded the Indian goal during the semifinal.

A notable moment came when a penalty corner in the third quarter was saved by the South Korean goalkeeper after Amandeep Lakra’s attempt, while Harmanpreet Singh delivered a superb aerial pass that bypassed the Korean defence in the fourth quarter, though it did not result in a goal.