The Indian men’s hockey team beat China 4-3 in their opening match of the Hockey Asia Cup 2025 at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium on Friday. The Indian captain, Harmanpreet Singh, scored a sensational hat-trick in a hard-fought contest.
Hockey Asia Cup 2025: Key moments from the game
China took an early lead in the game by quickly converting a penalty corner 12 minutes into the game. Du Shihao, who won the foul, connected well with this shot to hit the back of the net.
Trailing 0-1 after a tough first quarter, India bounced back by scoring two goals in quick succession seconds before halftime, to secure a 2-1 lead midway through the game.
The hosts then stretched the advantage when skipper Harmanpreet connected well with his trademark drag flick and found the back of the net despite the Chinese keeper getting a hand on the ball.
But China bounced back with Benhai converting a penalty corner as both teams headed to the final quarter on level terms. The Indian skipper came through for the national side once again in the final moments of the game as he converted a third penalty corner to give India the conclusive lead.
The match was a close one, but India’s strong performance secured them a crucial three points in the pool stage. Besides Harmanpreet (20′, 33′, 47′), Jugraj Singh (18′) also scored for India.
This victory comes on an auspicious day for Team India, as August 29 is celebrated as National Sports Day in India. The day is annually observed by the Indian Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs to commemorate the birth anniversary of India’s greatest Hockey legend, Major Dyan Chand.
Hockey Asia Cup 2025: Tournament format
The Hockey Asia Cup 2025, a quadrennial international men’s field hockey championship, is taking place in Rajgir, Bihar, India, from August 29 to September 7, 2025. This is the 12th edition of the tournament and also serves as a qualifier for the 2026 FIH (Federation Internationale de Hockey) Hockey World Cup.
Eight teams, including India, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, China, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan and Chinese Taipei, are participating in the tournament.
Currently ranked seventh in the world and the highest among the participants, the Indian hockey team is considered the favourite to win the decorated trophy this year, especially with the tournament being held on home soil.