Punjab News:Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2026
*India smashes South Korea 8-0 to win last league encounter & top Round Robin pool*
*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, Dutch Hockey legend Floris Jan Bovelander meet both teams*
Buoyed by the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann accompanied by the legendary drag flicker from Netherlands Floris Jan Bovelander, the Indian Hockey team has stamped its class in the ongoing Hero Asian Champions Trophy Hockey tournament at Olympian Surjit Hockey stadium here by smashing South Korea 8-0.
The Indian team has finished the Round Robin league Phase with top position.
The two dignitaries were introduced to the Indian and South Korean squads before the start of the last League match.
Japan finished at second position with 10 points, Malaysia at third with 9 points while South Korea finished fourth with 6 points.
Dilpreet Singh scored two goals while Captain Harmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sanjay and Angad Bir Singh scored one each goal.
Earlier, the minnows Bangladesh held China to a 1-1 draw. Chinese side drew the first blood in the 2nd minute when Benhai Chen scored through the penalty corner. For Bangladesh, the equalizer came from the stick of Captain Ashraful Islam who converted a penalty stroke to level the scores in the 38th minute.
In another hard fought encounter between Japan and Malaysia, the former managed to prevail but only just. Malaysia opened the scoreline in the 10th minute when Abu Kamal Azrai scored through a field goal to give his team the lead but the gritty Japanese didn’t give up so easily and netted two field goals which came from the stick of Kentaro Fukuda in the 24th & 54th minute respectively.
Now, India is slated to meet South Korea and Japan is up against Malaysia in the Semifinal line up as the four teams have already qualified for the last four stage which would be played on November 4 at Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium at Mohali while the Finals would also be held at Mohali on November 5.