India Wins Asia Cup Final, Ends 8-Year Title Drought

RAJGIR- India defeated South Korea 4-1 in the final in Rajgir, Bihar, to win their fourth Men’s Asia Cup title on September 7. This victory is India’s first continental title in eight years and secures their qualification for the 2026 World Cup in Belgium and Netherlands.

Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, and Amit Rohidas all scored for India, with Dilpreet netting two goals. Son Dain scored Korea’s only goal in the final quarter. India’s Jugraj Singh also had a penalty stroke saved.

India finished their campaign with an unbeaten record of five wins and one draw. Under the leadership of Harmanpreet Singh, they won all three of their pool-stage matches. In the Super 4s, India had dominant victories over Malaysia (4-1) and China (7-0) and a 2-2 draw with South Korea.

This is India’s fourth Asia Cup triumph, adding to previous wins in 2003, 2007, and 2017. South Korea remains the most successful team in the tournament’s history with five titles.

With their spot secured for the 2026 World Cup from August 14-30, India will aim to improve on their previous best finishes. India’s best performances at the World Cup since their 1975 title win have been two fifth-place finishes in 1982 and 1994. (IANS)