Asia Cup 2025 Win Inspires India's Hockey World Cup Ambitions: Harmanpreet Singh

Last Updated:September 08, 2025, 13:59 IST

Harmanpreet Singh led India to Asia Cup 2025 hockey glory in Rajgir, defeating South Korea 4-1 and securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup in Netherlands and Belgium.

Harmanpreet Singh celebrating India's Asia Cup win (X)

Indian men’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh believes the team’s ability to learn quickly from mistakes was the driving force behind their Asia Cup 2025 success—and says the next mission is clear: the World Cup.

India ended an eight-year wait for continental supremacy by defeating South Korea 4-1 in the final at the Rajgir Sports Complex on Sunday, a win that also secured their qualification for the 2026 FIH Men’s World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.

While the Asia Cup victory was a moment of redemption, Harmanpreet made it clear that the squad is already thinking ahead. The World Cup, scheduled for 2026 in Europe, is now the ultimate target.

“We have given a tough fight to our opponents in the last few games and that’s why our result has been great. We want to continue this form," Harmanpreet said. “The Asia Cup is just one step. Now our focus is on preparing for the World Cup."

From Losing Streak to Champions

The Asia Cup triumph came after a turbulent period. India arrived at the tournament on the back of their worst-ever run in the FIH Pro League, suffering seven consecutive defeats and conceding 26 goals in just eight games.

But the turnaround was emphatic. Across seven matches in Rajgir, India conceded only nine goals while scoring an impressive 39. Their balance between attack and defence stood out, especially in the knockout stages.

“We learn from every match," Harmanpreet explained. “I always say there is plus and minus after every game. What matters is how you analyse those things and how fast you work on it. As a team, we have defended well and the scoring has been great. Credit goes to the forwards for converting opportunities into goals."

Hockey India president and ex-captain Dilip Tirkey called the win “a proud moment for the nation & an inspiration for future generations of hockey players."

(with PTI inputs)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

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News sports Asia Cup 2025 Win Inspires India's Hockey World Cup Ambitions: Harmanpreet Singh

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