Asian Games 2026 Women’s Hockey: Delivering a spectacular performance in the semi-final, the Indian team defeated South Korea 2-0 to secure a spot in the final. With this victory, the Indian women's hockey team is now just one step away from ending a 44-year gold medal drought at the Asian Games.
India won its only women's hockey gold medal at the Asian Games during the 1982 New Delhi edition. In the title clash scheduled for Friday, India will face defending champions China, who defeated hosts Japan 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out in the first semi-final.
A closely contested opening two quarters
In the first half of the match played at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Japan, the Indian team adopted a thoroughly aggressive approach, keeping play largely within the Korean half, but faltered in their finishing.
India earned their first penalty corner in the very second minute, but Korean goalkeeper Seoyeon Lee dived to save Deepika's drag-flick. Subsequently, in the fourth minute, Navneet Kaur also failed to capitalize on the opportunity that came her way.
In the 13th minute, the opposing goalkeeper alertly kept out a deflection from Rutuja Dadaso Pisal. Subsequently, in the opening minute of the second quarter, India earned three consecutive penalty corners, but the Korean defense stood firm like a rock, thwarting every Indian attempt.
Meanwhile, a sixth penalty corner was squandered in the 21st minute due to a poor injection, and two further opportunities just before half-time also went to waste. Despite securing a total of eight penalty corners across the first two quarters, the scoreboard remained 0-0.
Ishika’s Deflection and Captain Salima’s Solo Goal
In the third quarter, the Indian team made a clever tactical adjustment, and Korea’s formidable defense finally crumbled. In the 44th minute, instead of taking a direct hit from the penalty corner, India opted for a variation.
Off an indirect pass from Deepika, injector Ishika Chaudhary deflected the ball into the goal, handing India a crucial 1-0 lead. Then, in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, Captain Salima Tete displayed her class.
Making a high-speed solo run from the right flank, Salima played a cutback into the box; the ball deflected off a Korean defender's stick and crossed the goal line, extending India's lead to 2-0.
Desperate for a comeback in the closing stages, South Korea threw everything into the attack and earned four consecutive penalty corners. However, the Indian goalkeeper and defense remained rock-solid, preserving their clean sheet and securing a 2-0 victory to confidently book their spot in the final. South Korea will now face Japan in the bronze medal match.
Also Read: India secured a spot in the final by defeating Pakistan in the last minute
