Harmanpreet’s Hat-Trick powers India past China in Hero Asia Cup Hockey thriller

India’s next challenge will be against Japan, who began their campaign with a dominant 7–0 win over Kazakhstan

Khel Today Bureau

Rajgir, Bihar: India survived a severe test from China before coming out 4-3 victors on the opening day of the Hero Men’s Asia Cup Hockey 2025, which got off to a rousing start in Rajgir, Bihar.

Across four high-scoring encounters, the favourites stamped their authority while debutants and underdogs had moments of resistance.

Defending champions South Korea showed their class with a commanding 7–0 rout of Chinese Taipei, while Malaysia overcame an early shock to beat Bangladesh 4–1 in Pool B. In Pool A, Japan outclassed Kazakhstan with a clinical 7–0 display, before the day ended with India beating China 4–3.

With 25 goals scored on opening day, the Hero Asia Cup promised fans not just competitive hockey, but also a glimpse of the battles to come.

Tense but winning start for India

India made a winning start to their Hero Men’s Asia Cup Hockey 2025 campaign with a tense 4–3 victory over China in their opening Pool A fixture at the Bihar Sports University Stadium.

It was a roller-coaster contest in which the hosts were forced to dig deep, but ultimately, skipper Harmanpreet Singh’s hat-trick proved decisive.

India started well forcing early attacks, but it was China who struck first in the 13th minute when Du Shihao converted a penalty corner with a drag-flick to silence the home crowd.

India thought they had equalised almost immediately through Mandeep Singh, but the goal was overturned after China’s referral revealed a foul in the build-up.

India’s response came in the second quarter, through penalty corners. Jugraj Singh levelled with a powerful drag-flick that beat the Chinese goalkeeper all ends up to make it 1-1.

Soon after, captain Harmanpreet Singh added India’s second, this time with a low, precise flick into the bottom corner. By halftime, India led 2–1, with massive crowd support.

The momentum shifted in the third quarter as there was a lot of drama of the match.

Harmanpreet extended India’s advantage with his second goal, another drag-flick that gave the team a 3–1 cushion. But just as the hosts seemed in control, China clawed their way back. Chen Benhai converted a penalty corner to make it 3–2, and minutes later, another well-executed set piece brought the scores level at 3–3 by Gao Tianyi in the 43rd minute.

The game looked like getting away from India when they missed a golden opportunity as Harmanpreet’s penalty stroke ricocheted off the post. At that point, the pressure was firmly on the hosts, as China gained momentum and tested the Indian defence repeatedly.

With the match hanging in the balance, India turned again to their captain once again.

Early in the fourth quarter, Harmanpreet completed his hat-trick with a clinical drag-flick that restored India’s lead at 4–3. The stadium erupted, but the drama was not over.

India were reduced to 10 men after a late yellow card, forcing them to defend desperately in the final minutes. China pressed hard, earning another penalty corner, but goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made a crucial save to preserve India’s slender lead.

The victory showcased India’s strength from set-pieces, with all four goals coming through penalty corners. Harmanpreet Singh, with three strikes, once again underlined why he is regarded as one of the best drag-flickers in world hockey. Jugraj Singh’s equaliser was also vital in steadying India after the early setback.

India’s next challenge will be against Japan, who began their campaign with a dominant 7–0 win over Kazakhstan. With only two teams advancing to the Super 4s from each pool, the clash against Japan is already shaping up as a pivotal encounter.

Final Score:

India 4 –China 3

India: Jugraj Singh (19′), Harmanpreet Singh (25′, 33′, 48′)

China: Du Shihao (13′), Chen Benhai (38′), Gao Tianyi (43′)

Malaysia Storm Back to Beat Bangladesh 4–1 

Malaysia rallied from an early deficit to beat Bangladesh 4-1 in the opening game of the Hero Asia Cup men’s hockey tournament at the Bihar Sports University Hockey Stadium in Rajgir.

Malaysia, ranked 12th in the world, scored four times after the early reverse to outclass Bangladesh.

Bangladesh took an early advantage with a goal by Islam Ashraful in the 16th minute. Malaysia equalized just before halftime thanks to Ashran Hamsani’s strike in the 23rd minute.

After the break, Malaysia seized control with three goals from Akhimullah Anuar, Muhajir Abdul Rauf and Syed Cholan capped the dominant display by scoring from a penalty corner in the 54th minute.

Despite Bangladesh’s persistent attempts to convert penalty corners in the final quarter, Malaysia’s defence and goalkeeper stood firm to keep their opponents at bay.

Bangladesh shocked the Malaysian camp when Islam Ashraful converted a penalty corner in the 16th minute to give his side a 1–0 lead. The early strike made Bangladesh players confident as they attacked with vigour.

However, Malaysia soon found their rhythm. Ashran Hamsani restored parity in the 25th minute with a fine field goal, ensuring they were 1–1 at halftime.

After the break in the 36th minute, Akhimullah Anuar picked on a loose ball inside the circle and scored to make it 2–1.

The third came in the 48th minute through Muhajir Abdul Rauf, who finished off a neat passing move. Syed Cholan sealed the victory in the 54th minute, converting Malaysia’s only successful penalty corner.

Final Score:

Malaysia 4 – 1 Bangladesh

(Scorers: Hamsani 25’, Anuar 36’, Abdul Rauf 48’, Cholan 54’; Ashraful 16’)

South Korea Thrash Chinese Taipei 7–0 in Asia Cup Opener

Defending champions South Korea made their intention clear in the Hero Men’s Asia Cup Hockey 2025 with a resounding 7–0 victory over Chinese Taipei in their opening Pool B fixture.

The five-time Asian champions entered the contest as strong favourites and they quickly stamped their authority. South Korea’s sharp passing, relentless pressing, and efficiency proved too much for Chinese Taipei, who were playing in only their second Asia Cup after their debut in 2013.

The star of the show was Dain Son, who produced a brilliant hat-trick, striking in the 17th, 29th and 58th minutes. He was deadly inside the circle and was the star Korea’s attacking unit.

Penalty corner specialist Jihun Yang added to the tally with two well-executed conversions in the 27th and 50th minutes. That showed South Korea’s set-piece strength. The dominance was completed with late field goals by Seyong Oh (53′) and Yoonho Kong (54′), which came in quick succession and left the Taipei defense in total disarray.

The match was one-sided in terms of possession and territory. Korea earned multiple penalty corners and converted two, while Chinese Taipei failed to make an impact with the few opportunities they got.

For South Korea, the emphatic win was the perfect start to their title defense.

It boosted their goal difference and also gave their forwards valuable confidence ahead of tougher challenges in Pool B, particularly the highly anticipated clash against Malaysia.

Final Score:

South Korea 7 – 0 Chinese Taipei

(Scorers: Son 17′, 29′, 58′; Yang 27′, 50′; Oh 53′; Kong 54′)

Japan outclass Kazakhstan 7–0

Japan got off to a dream start at the Hero Men’s Asia Cup Hockey 2025 with a 7-0 verdict over first-timers Kazakhstan 7–0 in a Pool A clash.

The Japanese side playing fast-paced hockey, wasted little time in establishing dominance. They struck within the opening minute, taking advantage of a defensive lapse. The scorer was Kosei Kawabe.

Soon after, Naru Kimura doubled the lead in the 5th minute, before Koji Yamasaki added a third in the 13th, giving Japan a commanding cushion at the end of the first quarter.

Kazakhstan’s defenders, led by goalkeeper, tried to handle the pressure with some fine saves, but Japan’s relentless attacks stretched the Kazakh.

The third quarter saw Yamasaki strike his second goal of the match in the 36th minutes, before Ken Nagayoshi extended the lead to 5–0 with a clinical finish in the 48th minutes.

Moments later, Shota Yamada put his name on the scoresheet in the 50th minute to pile further misery on Kazakhstan.

The final goal came from Ryosuke Shinohara, who capped off the rout in the fourth quarter in the 54th minutes.

The 7–0 score reflected Japan’s superiority not just in attack but also in their defense. For Japan, the emphatic victory provided a significant boost in Pool A, where they are grouped alongside hosts India and China.

The margin of victory also gives them an early edge in goal difference, which could prove crucial in the race for the Super 4 stage.

Final Score:

Japan 7 – 0 Kazakhstan

(Scorers: Kosei Kawabe 1′, Kimura 5′, Yamasaki 13′ & 36’, Nagayoshi 48’, Yamada 50’, Shinohara 54’).