Is India Ready for the Hockey World Cup After Their Asia Cup Triumph?

Rajgir, Sep 8 (NationPress) After successfully qualifying for the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup with a commanding 4-1 victory over South Korea in the Asia Cup final, India captain Harmanpreet Singh praised the team's exceptional performance in the continental tournament while also directing their attention towards the upcoming pinnacle event next year.

Entering the tournament as the top-ranked team, India's sole objective was to earn a World Cup spot by clinching the title. The team not only achieved this primary goal but also maintained an unbeaten record throughout the home event in Rajgir. The only challenge they faced was against the defending champions, South Korea, who managed a 2-2 draw during the Super 4 stage. However, the Indian squad remained steadfast in their objective and excelled in the final, securing their fourth Asian title.

Reflecting on their journey, Harmanpreet stated, "Every player was incredibly focused; we recognized our goal was to win and that this was our only route to qualify for the World Cup. As Asia's No. 1 team, we aimed to meet our own expectations. Despite not starting as strongly as we wished, our last three matches showed our true capabilities. I am thrilled with our overall performance."

Discussing the team's performance against Korea, the skilled dragflicker remarked, "Each match provides lessons; the 2-2 draw against Korea was a challenge we aimed to overcome, and we succeeded in the final. I want to specifically commend our defense—each player contributed to a solid defensive performance. Our forwards created numerous opportunities and converted them into goals. Our next step is the World Cup, and we have a year to prepare."

Head coach Craig Fulton also highlighted the team’s resilience throughout the demanding 10-day event. "Competing in seven matches over ten days in warm conditions is challenging. I am immensely proud of the team; they played like champions. Even though we drew against Korea in the Super 4s, we significantly outperformed them in stats, but we were unable to finish that match. However, that experience prepared us for the final, where we treated the Malaysia game like a quarterfinal and the China match as a semifinal, showcasing our potential," Fulton explained.

Looking ahead, Fulton outlined the upcoming schedule leading to next year’s significant sporting events—the Asian Games in Japan and the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium. "We have the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament, a tour to South Africa, and the Hockey India League before the Pro League season kicks off in early 2026. We have one year to adequately prepare for the World Cup, but for now, we will allow this victory to resonate," he added.

The Indian team will take a two-week break before regrouping at SAI, Bengaluru, for training ahead of the Sultan Azlan Shah Tournament in Malaysia.