THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

KAKAMIGAHARA (JAPAN), SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

India stormed into the women’s hockey final at the Asian Games 2026 with a composed 2-0 victory over South Korea here on Wednesday, assuring themselves of a medal and keeping alive their hopes of ending a 44-year wait for the gold medal.

Ishika broke the deadlock in the 44th minute before a Korean defender’s stick inadvertently turned a dangerous Indian attack into an own goal as the Salima Tete-led side maintained its unbeaten run in the tournament.

India, chasing their first Asian Games women’s hockey gold since 1982, will face China in the title clash on Friday.

The Indians dominated possession and territory for much of the contest but were made to work hard by a disciplined South Korean defence that repeatedly thwarted their attacks.

India earned several penalty corners in the opening quarter but failed to capitalise on the opportunities. They also threatened from open play, with Lalremsiami Hmarzote unable to finish after being set up by Navneet Kaur.

South Korea looked to create openings through attacks down both flanks, but India’s defence remained organised and ensured that the first quarter ended goalless.

India continued to press in the second quarter and came close to taking the lead when Navneet unleashed a powerful effort from a penalty corner, only for the South Korean goalkeeper to produce an excellent save.

Despite sustained Indian pressure, the Koreans held their shape and went into the interval level at 0-0.

India resumed with the same intensity after the change of ends, patiently constructing attacks through the midfield and probing for openings on either flank.

South Korea continued to frustrate the Indian forwards, but their resistance was finally broken in the 44th minute when Ishika produced a superb finish to give India the lead.

The advantage was doubled early in the final quarter following a fine move started by skipper Tete. The captain carried the ball into the circle from the right before cutting it back from the baseline, with the ball taking a deflection off a Korean defender’s stick and finding the net.

South Korea tried to mount a comeback but India remained composed, controlling the tempo and continuing to put pressure on the Korean defence.

The Koreans defended another Indian penalty corner with determination, but India held on comfortably to secure their place in the final.

The victory capped another dominant outing for India, who had swept aside Uzbekistan 19-0, Indonesia 17-1 and Thailand 20-1 before defeating hosts Japan 3-1 and Singapore 7-0 in the pool stage.

South Korea, who finished second in Pool A, had won four of their five matches before Wednesday’s semifinal, with their only defeat coming against China.

India will now look to complete an unbeaten campaign with a gold-medal triumph against China in Friday’s final.