India thrashes South Korea 8-1 to reach Asian Champions Trophy final
Shilanand Lakra and Dilpreet Singh scored twice each as the hosts secured a place in the final against Japan.
India defeated South Korea 8-1 in the men's Asian Champions Trophy semi-final at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali on Wednesday, according to the Times of India. The victory ensures the hosts reach the final for a record-extending seventh time.
Shilanand Lakra opened the scoring in the fourth minute, while Han Sangjun equalised for South Korea in the ninth minute. Captain Harmanpreet Singh restored the lead in the 10th minute with a penalty corner drag-flick, marking his 10th goal of the tournament. Lakra scored his second in the 13th minute to make it 3-1.
The hosts extended their lead in the second quarter through Sukhjeet Singh in the 19th minute and Dilpreet Singh in the 21st and 25th minutes. Angad Bir Singh added a seventh goal in the 36th minute, and Vivek Sagar Prasad completed the scoring in the 54th minute.
India remains unbeaten in the tournament after winning all five matches in the round-robin stage. The team previously beat South Korea 8-0 during the league stage.
India will face Japan in the final on Thursday. Japan advanced after defeating Malaysia 5-3 in a shootout following a goalless regulation time in the other semi-final. South Korea will play Malaysia in the bronze-medal match.