Rajgir, India – The Indian men’s hockey team fought hard to secure a 2-2 draw against Korea in their opening Super 4s match at the Hero Men’s Asia Cup Rajgir Bihar 2025. The match, held on September 3, 2025, saw an intense back-and-forth battle between two strong Asian hockey nations.
India started the match on the front foot, with striker Varun Kumar opening the scoring in the 12th minute with a precise field goal. Korea quickly responded with a penalty corner conversion by Lee Kang-min in the 20th minute, leveling the score at 1-1.
The second half brought more drama as Korea took the lead in the 42nd minute through their captain Park Ji-hoon, who executed a brilliant solo run to beat the Indian defense. However, India did not back down. Midfielder Arjun Singh scored an equalizer in the 53rd minute, capitalizing on a penalty corner opportunity and firing the ball past Korea’s goalkeeper.
Both teams displayed resilient defense and tactical discipline in the remaining minutes, preventing either side from gaining the upper hand. Indian goalie Raghav Dhawan made several key saves, keeping India in contention.
The draw keeps India in a solid position to qualify for the final, with just one point behind Korea in the Super 4s standings. India coach Rajesh Nair expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance but highlighted the need for clinical finishing. “The boys showed great spirit today. We need to convert chances better if we want to go all the way,” Nair said.
Korean coach Kim Sung-ho also praised his team’s efforts. “It was a tough match. Both teams played well. We will analyze our mistakes and come back stronger,” he noted.
The Hero Men’s Asia Cup is a crucial tournament, serving as a qualifier for the Hockey World Cup. With the Super 4s stage underway, every point matters for teams aiming for the top prize.
Upcoming matches:
- India will next face Malaysia on September 5
- Korea takes on Pakistan
Fans packed the stadium in Rajgir, cheering loudly and creating an electric atmosphere throughout the game.
This thrilling 2-2 draw sets up an exciting run towards the tournament finale. Both India and Korea remain strong contenders to lift the prestigious Asia Cup trophy.
Stay tuned for more updates only on Space Sports.
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