India draw 2–2 with Korea as Malaysia beat China in Super 4 at Hero Asia Cup

Indians celebrate after a goal against Korea at the Hero Asia Cup hockey. 

Khel Today Bureau

 Rajgir, Bihar: India scored an equaliser eight minutes from the finish to draw 2-2 against the defending champions South Korea in the Super 4 match of the Hero Asia Cup in front of a roaring home crowd at the Rajgir Sports Complex.

The match began late because of a rain delay. Once play started India struck first through midfielder Hardik Singh, who capitalized on early pressure to give the hosts a vital edge.

However, South Korea demonstrated their resilience almost immediately. A penalty stroke awarded after a video referral saw them level the score through Yang Jihun in the 12th minute.

Two minutes later Korea went into the lead as Hyeonhong Kim scored a second goal.

Put under pressure, India did their best but could not convert the multiple chances they got. They also missed a lot of penalty corners.

With time running out, Mandeep Singh delivered the equaliser eight minutes before the final gong after weaving through defenders.

India could not find the breakthrough to seal the win in the final minutes.

Malaysia won the first match to log three points, while India and Korea have one each from a draw. That makes the remaining matches vital and the goal difference could come into play.

The Indians finished Pool A engagements with an all-win record, beating China 4-3, Japan 3-2 before demolishing minnows Kazakhstan 15-0.

Score:

India: Hardik Singh (11’), Mandeep Singh (52’).

South Korea: Yang Jihun (12’) and Hyeonhong Kim (14′).

Malaysia start Super 4 with a win over China 

In the opening Super 4 match of the Hero Asia Cup Men’s Hockey 2025 Malaysia started strongly defeating China 2–0 at the Rajgir Sports Complex.

With this win, Malaysia took a big step towards making a bid to get into the final.

Unbeaten in the first group stage, Malaysia carried their form and discipline. China, who had shown flashes of promise earlier in the tournament, found it difficult to breach the Malaysian defense.

In the first half both teams created chances but failed to convert. China had two early penalty corners, but Malaysian goalkeeper Hafizuddin Othman made good saves. At the other end, Malaysia built pressure with structured build-up play, using the flanks effectively to enter the Chinese circle.

The deadlock was broken in the third quarter, when Syed Mohd Syafiq Syed Cholan found the net with a precise finish. The goal came after sustained Malaysian pressure.

In the early stages of the fourth quarter, Akhimullah Anuar doubled Malaysia’s lead. Anuar picked up a loose ball on the right wing, drove past two defenders with great control, and unleashed a stunning reverse stick shot into the far corner.

China pushed hard in the final minutes, earning another penalty corner and creating a few half-chances. However, the Malaysian defense stood firm.

Malaysia earned three crucial points, becoming the first team to register a win in the Super 4 phase.

Score:

Malaysia 2 – 0 China

Malaysia: Syed Mohd Syafiq Syed Cholan, Akhimullah Anuar.