India Overcome Semi-Final Test to Reach Asian Games Hockey Final vs China

India’s women’s hockey team produced another dominant display of pressure and persistence on Wednesday, defeating South Korea 2-0 to storm into the Asian Games final.

The victory sets up a gold-medal showdown with defending champions China, with an Olympic qualification spot also at stake.

India had to work hard for the result. After overwhelming opponents in the pool stage, the Indian attack found South Korea’s defence difficult to break down in the opening half. India controlled possession, repeatedly penetrated the circle and earned nine penalty corners, but could not find the decisive touch.

Rather than allowing frustration to creep in, India continued to move the ball quickly and maintain pressure. The breakthrough finally came in the 44th minute through a clever penalty-corner variation.

Ishika injected the ball before Deepika, instead of going for her familiar drag-flick, returned it to Ishika at the top of the circle. The unexpected move unsettled the Korean defence, allowing Ishika to get a shot away and put India ahead.

India needed only four minutes to add another.

Salima Tete accelerated into the circle from the baseline and sent the ball across the face of goal. The delivery created confusion among the Korean defenders before taking a deflection and finding the net to make it 2-0.

South Korea struggled to respond as India continued to dictate the tempo. India finished with 61 per cent possession and 12 penalty corners, while Korea managed only three penalty corners.

The win continued India’s remarkable scoring run at the Games. They had entered the semi-final having scored 66 goals in five pool matches and conceded only three. Deepika led the scoring charts for India with 21 goals, followed by Navneet Kaur with 10 and Rutuja Pisal with seven.

Captain Salima had earlier described the team as having “10 Ferraris on the field”, highlighting the speed and fitness that have become hallmarks of the side. Against Korea, India combined that attacking intensity with the patience needed to break down a stubborn defence.

China secured the other final berth after beating hosts Japan 4-2 in a shootout following a draw in regulation time. The defending champions and Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallists will now face India in Friday’s gold-medal match.