Asian Games 2026: India Beat South Korea 8-2, Dilpreet Hits Hat-Trick

Dilpreet Singh struck a hat-trick as India continued their dominant Asian Games campaign with an emphatic 8-2 victory over South Korea in their third Pool A match on Thursday, moving the defending champions closer to a semifinal berth.

India’s attacking depth was on full display as they raced into a 4-0 lead in the opening quarter before extending their advantage to 7-0 early in the second half. Abhishek scored twice, while Shilanand Lakra, Harmanpreet Singh and Rajinder Singh were also on target as India registered their biggest-ever Asian Games victory over South Korea.

The result was India’s third successive win of the tournament, following their 13-1 victory over Indonesia and 16-1 rout of Sri Lanka. They remain top of Pool A and will face hosts Japan in their next match on Saturday.

India overwhelm Korea from the start

India needed only four minutes to open the scoring, with Shilanand Lakra converting a superb aerial ball from vice-captain Hardik Singh.

Dilpreet then doubled the advantage in the 10th minute, firing a powerful shot from the top of the circle after being picked out by Mandeep Singh.

Harmanpreet made it 3-0 a minute later, finding the left side of the Korean goal with a trademark drag-flick from India’s first penalty corner of the match.

The relentless pressure continued as Abhishek added a fourth before the end of the opening quarter, pushing in a pass from Shilanand.

India had controlled 57 per cent of possession during the first quarter and consistently found gaps in a Korean defence that struggled to contain their movement and passing.

Dilpreet completes his hat-trick

The pattern continued after the restart, with India maintaining their attacking intensity.

Dilpreet scored his second of the afternoon in the 26th minute, getting on the end of a backhand cross from Mandeep to put India 5-0 ahead.

He completed his hat-trick six minutes later, finishing a flowing move involving Mandeep and Hardik with a superb tomahawk.

The three goals took Dilpreet’s tournament tally to another level and underlined his importance to an Indian attack that has produced goals at remarkable frequency through their opening three matches.

Abhishek then added his second of the match in the 38th minute, reacting quickest to a rebound after Korean goalkeeper Kim Jaehan saved Sukhjeet Singh’s initial effort.

At 7-0, India had already surpassed their previous highest goal tally against South Korea in an Asian Games fixture.

Korea find two goals, but India remain in control

South Korea finally found a breakthrough in the 42nd minute when Kim Jae Ho capitalised on a rare lapse in the Indian defence.

The Koreans showed greater attacking intent in the final quarter and created further opportunities, with Kim Yong Bok eventually scoring their second after beating three Indian defenders before finding the net in the 52nd minute.

India, however, remained firmly in control.

Rajinder Singh restored the six-goal cushion with virtually the final action of the match, converting a penalty corner in the 60th minute to complete India’s 8-2 victory.

Penalty corners remain India’s concern at Asian Games

Despite the emphatic scoreline, India’s penalty-corner conversion will remain an area for improvement.

India earned four consecutive penalty corners in the third quarter but failed to convert any. They also had opportunities in the closing stages before Rajinder finally found the target with the match’s last set piece.

For chief coach Craig Fulton, the missed opportunities will be one of the few concerns from an otherwise dominant performance.

India’s defensive structure was also tested more frequently as Korea improved after the break, although the two goals conceded did little to alter the outcome.

With three wins from three matches and a formidable goal difference, India are now within touching distance of the Asian Games semifinals. Their next challenge comes against hosts Japan on Saturday.