India vs China, Hockey Asia Cup Highlights: India take hammering 7-0 win, storms into the final

Looks like Shilanand Lakra, who won the Player of the Match award after his brilliant performance. He grabbed the goal and played a key role in the other goals as well. 

In addition, if you would like to read a comprehensive report of the match, take a look at what our reporter, Alan John had to say -- HERE

And that's a wrap, India secure a hammering win over China to book their place in the Asia Cup 2025 finals where they will face Malaysia. A comprehensive display across all-fronts. 

IND 7-0 CHN - FT

While India continues to dominate, China look completely deflated. Shoulders are slumped, energy is lacking, and there’s little spark in their attempts to respond.

IND 7-0 CHN - Q4: 5 minutes to go

Everything India touches seems to turn to gold tonight! The hosts continue carving apart the Chinese defence, and Abhishek adds his second of the game with a calm, close-range finish.

IND 7-0 CHN - Q4: 10 minutes to go

Its yet another dominant start here to the quarter and Abhishek finds the net to extend their lead. 

IND 6 - 0 CHN - Q4: 14 minutes to go

Well, that's the end of the third quarter and India looks like they will book their place in the Super 4 finals now. It would take a gargantuan effort for China to come back from a 5-goal deficit. 

IND 5 - 0 CHN - End of Q3

Seems like the intensity is still on for the hosts. Can't really say the same about China in this case, as they continue to run about with no sense of identity at the moment. At this point, India can penetrate the circle whenever it wants. 

IND 5 - 0 CHN - Q3: 1 mins left

India keeps the pressure on and earns a penalty corner immediately after their previous goal. Shilanand Lakra’s flick goes wide, but a deflection earns them a long corner. From the short corner, Dilpreet lays it up perfectly, and Sukhjeet finds the back of the net to add another for the hosts.

IND 5 - 0 CHN - Q3: 7 mins left

India continues to pull away! Shilanand Lakra delivers a brilliant cross, and Rajkumar Pal pounces on the rebound to extend the hosts’ lead.

IND 4 - 0 CHN - Q3: 9 mins left

Dilpreet Singh fires a shot at goal, aiming for the top-right corner, but the keeper pulls off a brilliant jumping save. China mount a counterattack, but India’s defence holds firm.

IND 3 - 0 CHN - Q3: 11 mins left

Looks like Mandeep has picked up a slight niggle and is being subbed off. 

IND 3 - 0 CHN - Q3: 12 mins left

The players are back out after a short break and the third quarter is now underway.

IND 3 - 0 CHN - Q3: 14 mins left

It’s been all India so far! The hosts have penetrated the circle 17 times, while China has managed just once. Can India maintain this dominance, or will China find a way back into the game?

IND 3 - 0 CHN - End of Q2

India keeps intercepting and countering in the final seconds of the second quarter, pressing hard down the wings. Harmanpreet switches play with a long ball, but the move comes to nothing.

IND 3 - 0 CHN - End of Q2

China had a brief spell of possession but couldn’t break through the circle, hampered by sloppy passing. India remain in complete control as the first half winds down.

IND 3 - 0 CHN - Q2: 3 mins left

Finally, Mandeep makes no mistake! Another penalty corner sees rebounds first off Harmanpreet’s shot, then Dilpreet’s effort, before Mandeep guides it home to extend India’s lead.

IND 3 - 0 CHN - Q2: 11 mins left

The long balls keep coming, and Mandeep gets a dangerous cross into the box—but he can’t convert. The scoreline doesn’t quite reflect just how dominant India have been so far.

IND 2 - 0 CHN - Q2: 13 mins left

That was a blistering first quarter from India! The hosts created chance after chance and converted two of them, stamping their authority early on. A strong start, and now the focus shifts to maintaining this momentum in the quarters ahead.

IND 2 - 0 CHN - End of Q1

India continue to pile on the pressure, circling past the Chinese defence and firing dangerous crosses into the D. The only thing missing so far is the finishing touch—otherwise, this contest might already have been wrapped up.

IND 2 - 0 CHN - Q1: 1 mins left

India are looking sharp early on, pinging long balls forward to create 1v1 opportunities. No shot on goal this time, but it’s been a strong attacking start as they repeatedly break through China’s press. The visitors, meanwhile, are struggling to hold onto possession.

 IND 2 - 0 CHN - Q1: 5 mins left

India keep the momentum rolling with their first penalty corner of the game. Harmanpreet Singh’s shot is blocked, but Dilpreet pounces on the rebound and slots it home to double the hosts’ lead.

IND 2 - 0 CHN - Q1: 8 mins left

Early breakthrough for India! Shilanand Lakra, looking in sparkling form, strikes to give the hosts the lead right out of the blocks.

An aggressive start to the game here as India look to penetrate through the wings, a timely switch of play to Harmanpreet Singh who puts in the ball through as it is crossed but doesn't find the finish.

IND 0 - 0 CHN - Q1: 12 mins left

And with the formalities behind us, the match now gets underway. An exciting contest awaits. 

IND 0 - 0 CHN

The players have walked onto the court, and we have the national anthems for both nations ahead of the start of play. 

India's head coach, Craig Fulton, highlighted how it's business as usual for the Indian hockey team as they face off against China in the final Super-4 stage clash of this tournament. 

India are putting in extra hours on their penalty corners after struggling in the last outing. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh is leading the charge in training, looking to sharpen one of India’s biggest weapons ahead of the clash.

For India, the equation is simple: even if they lose tonight, a place in the final is theirs—as long as the margin of defeat isn’t five goals or more.

India are going through their pre-match drills, with a clear focus on fine-tuning their attack. The team is working on building play through the middle—something that clicked against Malaysia—and sharpening their short passing inside the D.

The team sheets are out.

• Krishan Bahadur Pathak (GK)
• Harmanpreet Singh (C)
• Mandeep Singh 
• Hardik Singh
• Abhishek
• Sumit
• Jugraj Singh
• Vivek Sagar Prasad
• Sukhjeet Singh
• Sanjay
• Rajinder Singh

After the defeat, the Malaysia head coach was not too happy with the match officials and their calls. Perhaps it might be a bit too late but the emotions are still high at the moment. 

Full-time in the Super 4 clash, and Korea edge past Malaysia 4-3 in a thriller to seal their place in the final. After a shaky start to the Super 4s, they’ve delivered when it mattered most—booking their spot in the summit clash.

Meanwhile, the Super 4 clash between Korea and Malaysia is heading for a nail-biting finish. Korea hold a slender one-goal lead with just 90 seconds left on the clock. For both sides, victory means a place in the final. From India’s perspective, though, the equation is clear—they must win, or at the very least draw, to confirm their spot in the summit clash.

Assistant coach Roelant Oltmans remained firm that India were still favourites to win the title, saying his side had more work to do.

"Well, I said it before the tournament, and I repeat the same thing: India are still the favourites for this tournament, and nothing has changed. That's still the same. Everyone was disappointed about the result against Korea, but I think if you look at the number of opportunities that India created compared to Korea, they were the stronger team," said Oltmans.

"To be able to perform like this and get results like this, you need to become a consistent force, and that's not where China is yet. Do they have the ability for the future to become like that? I'm sure about it. But that's for next time and hopefully we can show it in another two days."

"China is a good defensive team, so we hope that what we did well today we carry it and the learning from the last match we played with them, from what we analysed, so we will make sure we cover everything and get ready for the next match," said Harmanpreet.

India didn’t make the brightest start to their Super 4s campaign, being held to a 2-2 draw by Korea—a match where wasted chances and recurring errors cost them.

But the hosts came roaring back against Malaysia, who had thrashed China in their opener. Despite conceding inside the first minute, India responded in style with a 4-1 win, taking a major step towards the final.

It was a special night for skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who marked his 250th international appearance and praised the team’s improved defensive display.

China must beat India to qualify for the final. A draw could also be enough if the Malaysia vs Korea match ends in a stalemate. They also wouldn’t mind a Korean win in that case, as their goal difference is stronger. A loss, however, would knock them out regardless of the outcome of the other result.

The hosts and tournament favourites need to beat China to confirm their spot in the final and aim for a fourth Asia Cup title. A draw won’t be a bad result either, as their superior goal difference gives them an edge over the other three sides. However, a loss will leave them sweating. In that case, India would have to hope the Malaysia vs Korea match ends in a draw.

They will also need Malaysia not to win, as that would put Sarjit Kundan’s side through. A Korea win won’t be an issue unless it’s by a big margin and China beat India by a heavy scoreline.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Hockey Asia Cup 2025 match between India and China in the Super 4 stages from Rajgir, Bihar.