Asian Games 2026: Indian women's hockey team defeat South Korea to set up final against defending champions China
(Courtesy : Asian Hockey Federation)
Ishika and Salima Tete scored for India in the victory
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The Indian women’s hockey team overcame a stubborn South Korean defence led by their goalkeeper to win the second semi-final of Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 on Wednesday with a 2-0 margin and book a title clash against China on October 2.
India came close on multiple occasions in the first two quarters and were largely denied by brilliant saves by the South Korean goalkeeper Seoyeon Lee.
However, Ishika broke the deadlock late in the third quarter, and then captain Salima Tete added a cushion in the last quarter to take India through to the final.
Related: India vs South Korea, women’s hockey semi-final highlights
In the first semi-final of the day, China survived a scare from hosts Japan before winning 4-2 in a shootout after a goalless 60 minutes.
India dominated possession and territory for long periods, particularly in the first two quarters, but found goalkeeper Lee in inspired form.
The South Korean custodian repeatedly denied India as the defending champions created a string of opportunities through their high press and fluent midfield combinations.
South Korea threatened first, entering the Indian circle in the opening minute through a long ball, but the pass narrowly evaded the Korean attacker looking for a deflection.
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India responded immediately and earned their first penalty corner in the second minute after the ball struck a defender’s foot. Deepika’s attempt was brilliantly kept out by Lee with a diving save to her left.
Baljeet was influential down the left flank and created another opening in the fourth minute after dispossessing a Korean defender and combining with Navneet Kaur.
Navneet entered the circle and got a shot away, but Lee blocked it. India earned another penalty corner, with Navneet going for the direct hit, only for goalkeeper Lee to palm the effort away.
India continued to press, with Baljeet making another dangerous circle entry in the 10th minute before Lee rushed out to close the angle.
South Korea relied largely on long slap-pushes from midfield to find their forwards, but India’s pressure kept them from establishing sustained attacking momentum.
A fine exchange between Navneet and Lalremsiami in the 12th minute almost opened another route to goal, while India continued to threaten through their movement around the circle.
A penalty-corner decision was overturned following a successful Korean video referral, leaving India a little frustrated.
The second quarter followed a similar pattern. India earned an early penalty corner, and another followed after the initial attempt was not stopped cleanly.
Lee again intervened, using her glove to keep the ball out. India kept probing, with Lalremsiami making overlapping runs and Ishika attempting to weave through several defenders. But the goal didn’t arrive.
India had another opportunity late in the second quarter after a successful video referral in the 28th minute resulted in a penalty corner. Navneet’s direct effort was blocked by the rusher. Another PC followed shortly after, but Lee once again denied Navneet.
Despite India’s pressing game and fluidity in midfield, the score remained 0-0 at half-time, with Lee’s saves keeping South Korea firmly in the contest.
India continued to search for the breakthrough after the restart. Lalremsiami came close with a cheeky back-flick, while Rutuja Dadaso Pisal tested the Korean defence with a reverse hit in the 36th minute. The Koreans increasingly sat deep, concentrating on denying India space inside the circle.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 44th minute. India earned another penalty corner, and Deepika opted for deception, playing a dummy instead of taking the drag-flick herself. Her variation sent the ball towards Ishika, who had positioned herself perfectly and finished with a first-touch push to give India a 1-0 lead.
India entered the final quarter with the advantage and soon doubled it. In the 48th minute, skipper Salima Tete made a superb overlapping run on the right side of the Korean circle and converted it into a goal to give her team a 2-0 lead.
South Korea tried to fight back, but India remained composed. A Korean video referral overturned a penalty-corner decision in the 54th minute, while India earned another PC following a successful referral three minutes later.
Deepika’s flick was blocked by Lee, but a re-award followed, and this time a Korean defender made a goal-line save. The rebound went to Deepika, but her shot was wide of the post.
South Korea earned a late penalty corner in the 59th minute, but India’s defence stood firm. Salima was particularly effective in the rush, helping India survive the late pressure and preserve their clean sheet.
With the final whistle, India completed a hard-earned 2-0 victory. After dominating the first half without reward, the Indian side showed patience to eventually break South Korea’s resistance and then controlled the contest to secure their place in the Asian Games 2026 final.
Who will Indian women’s hockey team face in the gold medal match at Asian Games 2026?
India will meet China in the gold-medal match on October 2. China beat hosts Japan 4-2 in a shootout after a goal-less 60 minutes in the first semi-final.
Who scored for India against South Korea in the semi-final?
Ishika broke the deadlock in the 44th minute, and captain Salima Tete added the second goal in the 48th minute. India won 2-0.
How did India break South Korea’s defence?
After South Korean goalkeeper Seoyeon Lee denied them repeatedly, Deepika played a dummy on a penalty corner. The ball went to Ishika, who finished with a first-touch push.
Has Indian women’s hockey team confirmed a medal at Asian Games 2026?
Yes, by reaching the final, the Indian women’s hockey team have confirmed at least a silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games.
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