India vs China Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Highlights: India thrash China 7-0, book place in the final
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Sep 06, 2025, 21:25:37 IST
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India vs China Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Highlights: India thrash China 7-0, book place in the final

India vs China Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: The Indian men’s hockey team is one step away from the Asia Cup final, but China stand firmly in their path. Both teams met earlier in the group stage, where China nearly held India to a draw, underlining the challenge ahead. India lead the Super4s table with four points, while China and Malaysia sit close behind with three each. Victory or a draw will see India through, but a loss combined with a Malaysia win could knock them out.

Coach Craig Fulton has stressed composure, learning, and patience as key. Drawing parallels with the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy, he believes India grow stronger as tournaments progress. Still, he raised concerns about how players respond to crowd pressure and expectations, urging calmness in tense moments. Mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton has been tasked with preparing players for such scenarios. Goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak’s consistency will also be vital after some shaky displays.

China’s strong campaign has been driven by their coaching staff, led by Michel van den Heuvel with Roelant Oltmans and Anthony Farry providing key inputs. Their focus on fitness, defense, and internal match simulations has sharpened the squad. With the World Cup ticket also on the line, Saturday’s contest promises to be a high-stakes battle of resilience and tactics.
21:23 (IST) Sep 06
India vs China Asia Cup Hockey LIVE: India vs Korea in the final
India vs China Asia Cup Hockey LIVE: India vs Korea in the final

Results from today in the Asia Cup:

Chinese Taipei 4-6 Kazakhstan

Korea 4-3 Malaysia

India 7-0 China

Matches tomorrow:

For 5th/6th place: Japan vs Bangladesh

For 3rd/4th place: Malaysia vs China

FINAL: India vs Korea

21:21 (IST) Sep 06
India vs China Asia Cup Hockey LIVE: Dominant win for India
India vs China Asia Cup Hockey LIVE: Dominant win for India

Once again, the numbers tell the story of this win. India have been ruthless against China and deserved this defiant win. Works brilliantly in their bid to win the title once again and seal a place in the World Cup

21:11 (IST) Sep 06
India vs China Asia Cup Hockey LIVE: INDIA WIN!
INDIA ARE INTO THE ASIA CUP FINAL! Harmanpreet Singh & Co. are into the Asia Cup final where they will play South Korea after absolutely marauding past China 7-0 and it could well have been more. The gulf between the two sides can be ascertained by the fact that India made 36 circle entries while China made just 5 and created 0 penalty corners.

???????? India 7-0 China ????????
21:01 (IST) Sep 06
India vs China Asia Cup Hockey LIVE: BIG SAVE!
Wang prevents India from making it eight! Hardik surges forward, through the middle, finds Lakra to his side and in the circle, takes it on the run, readies to take the strike but the angle gets too much and allows Wang to get big and make another superb save
20:57 (IST) Sep 06
India vs China Asia Cup Hockey LIVE: INDIA 7-0! GOAL!
GOAL! ABHISHEK! After being helped to the goal last time, this one is all Abhishek. Has the back to the goal, needs to do plenty to do anything from there and he does exceptionally well to twist, turn and gets a reverse hit. HAMMERED THROUGH! No chance for the goalkeeper to spot it and save it

India 7-0 China
20:51 (IST) Sep 06
India vs China Asia Cup Hockey LIVE: INDIA 6-0!
GOAL! THAT IS BEAUTIFUL! THAT IS SUBLIME! Sukhjeet with sensational skills, dribbles past multiple Chinese players, sees the goalkeeper approach to reduce the angle and passes it to an unmarked Abhishek, who pushes the ball into the goal. Lovely, lovely stuff this!

India 6-0 China
20:47 (IST) Sep 06
India vs China Asia Cup Hockey LIVE: End of third quarter
India 5-0 China at the end of the third quarter. Two more goals in that quarter and India are romping towards the Asia Cup final. After that goal in the 39th minute, India have slowed things down, almost looking like a training exercise at times.
20:40 (IST) Sep 06
Asia Cup Hockey LIVE: GOAL!
PC for India. Lakra to inject, Jugraj gets the shot and the first rusher does the job perfectly to keep it away from the goal. On the long corner, India make another circle entry, Dilpreet passes it to Sukhjeet who falls on the ground but gets enough on it to score and finds himself on the scoresheet as well. GOAL!

India 5-0 China
20:38 (IST) Sep 06
Asia Cup Hockey LIVE: GOAL!
GOAL! Rajkumar Pal makes it 4-0 to India! So nonchalant! Lakra with a pass into the face of the goal, Dilpreet tries to score but it scoops up instead. Rajkumar Pal is on hand to slap it down into the goal!

India 4-0 China
20:35 (IST) Sep 06
Asia Cup Hockey LIVE: SHOT!
Dilpreet Singh with lovely skills to not just evade the defender but creates little space for himself to get a shot on and there's lots of venom on it! Saved by the goalkeeper! Commentator calls it a Gianluigi Buffon-esque save!
20:33 (IST) Sep 06
Asia Cup Hockey LIVE: Second half begins!
Second half gets underway and Mandeep looks to find a fellow India player after getting the ball on the left channel. The angle is too much for him, trying to get the ball flat from a 0 degree angle, but its too much to ask.

Couple seconds later, he limps off with a twisted ankle. Hope it is nothing serious
20:26 (IST) Sep 06
India vs China Hockey Live: First half in numbers
India vs China Hockey Live: First half in numbers

A look at the first half in numbers. India have been the far superior side and it reflects in the scoreline

20:21 (IST) Sep 06
Asia Cup Hockey LIVE: HALF TIME!
India lead China 3-0 at the half time interval courtesy goals from Shilanand Lakra, Dilpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh. Two goals coming via PCs and third a field goal. It has been all India in the first 30 minutes of this match with China struggling to get some real attack brewing.

As things stand, India will play the Asia Cup final tomorrow vs Korea
20:18 (IST) Sep 06
Asia Cup Hockey LIVE: Manpreet shot, saved!
Harmanpreet to Manpreet with an angled, aerial ball. That was a nicely placed pass and equally well controlled by Manpreet to bring it down and quickly gets a shot on. The shot is far too close to the keeper and right foot keeps it away from creeping in

India 3-0 China
20:16 (IST) Sep 06
Asia Cup Hockey LIVE: India attack, China fend off
India continue to penetrate the Chinese circle, look for the fourth goal. Great stuff by India until the final pass as China hold things out. China with smart and resolute defending in two minutes to keep the Indian attack at bay

India 3-0 China
20:13 (IST) Sep 06
Asia Cup Hockey LIVE: CHANCE!
Hardik with sensational dribbling to chip the ball in his own path, one step forward and lashes a perfect shot. Except it has gone straight to the keeper and the ball falls to a player in yellow. China go on the counter-attack, quick movement and it has come to the other side of the pitch. India hold firm on the defence and deny a shot being taken

India 3-0 China
20:06 (IST) Sep 06
Asia Cup Hockey LIVE: India win PC in second quarter. GOAL!
Jugraj with a piercing attempt into the D, trying to find a fellow white, instead he pings the foot of a Chinese player. PC to India. Harmanpreet Singh gets the shot off, it has been blocked, and the rebound falls to Mandeep who nudges it forward to score! INDIA GOAL!

India 3-0 China

20:01 (IST) Sep 06
Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: End of Q1!
End of the first quarter!

India head into the break with a commanding 2-0 lead. The hosts struck twice early and maintained relentless pressure on China throughout.

IND 2-0 CHN
19:58 (IST) Sep 06
IND vs CHN Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: India dominate so far
China struggling to penetrate India’s final third. The first quarter is all India — total dominance so far!

IND 2-0 CHN
19:51 (IST) Sep 06
Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: GOAL!! India 2-0 China
India strikes again!

Dilpreet Singh doubles the lead in the 7th minute, converting a rebound from the first penalty corner.

China struggling to respond to India’s attacking pressure.

IND 2-0 CHN
19:48 (IST) Sep 06
IND vs CHN Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: GOAL!!!!
India opens the scoring in the 4th minute!

Shilanand Lakra nets an early field goal, giving the hosts a strong start in this crucial Super 4 clash.

IND 1-0 CHN
19:46 (IST) Sep 06
Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: Just wide!
team India launches the first attack into China’s circle. A promising build-up ends just wide of the goal as Mandeep Singh, positioned in front, couldn’t react in time to tap it in.
19:43 (IST) Sep 06
IND vs CHN Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: Here we go...
The first quarter of the Super 4 match starts. China with the push back.
19:35 (IST) Sep 06
Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: Action begins soon!
Players from both India and China ran out of the tunnel to loud cheers from the crowd.

The national anthems followed, with China’s played first, followed by the hosts, India.
19:24 (IST) Sep 06
IND vs CHN Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: Qualification Scenarios after Korea beat Malaysia
If India win, the final will be India vs South Korea.

If China win, the final will be India vs China.

If it’s a draw, India will again face China in the final.

Only if India lose by a big margin will their place in the final come under threat.
19:17 (IST) Sep 06
Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: First win for South Korea in Super 4s!
With a 4–3 victory against Malaysia, South Korea climb to 2nd, tightening Super 4 points table
19:14 (IST) Sep 06
IND vs CHN Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: India's Starting XI
19:10 (IST) Sep 06
Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: Building for the future
China’s preparation has been thorough. Before arriving in India, they trained at the Moqi hockey base in Inner Mongolia — home to eight of their squad members — followed by practice matches in Beijing.

“We didn’t have practice matches against other teams, only internal games. But we are building a programme for the future and learning every game,” said Van den Heuvel.

Farry added that a focus on fitness and defensive organization has made them hard to beat. Regardless of Saturday’s result, China’s steady progress suggests they are on track for bigger achievements in international hockey.
19:09 (IST) Sep 06
IND vs CHN Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: China’s backroom strength
China, meanwhile, have been the surprise package of the tournament, nearly shocking India in their opener. Their steady rise is no accident. A strong backroom staff led by Michel van den Heuvel, along with Roelant Oltmans and Anthony Farry, has been pivotal.

Oltmans, a former India coach, revealed: “My good friend Michel called me up to support him during this tournament. He’s a hard taskmaster but with a great heart.” Farry added that working with the Dutchmen has been a huge learning experience. Together, they have built a disciplined, tactically sharp unit capable of troubling top sides.
18:58 (IST) Sep 06
Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: The Qualification Scenarios Explained!
The Super4s stage has thrown up a fascinating equation.

After two matches each, India lead with four points, while China and Malaysia are tied on three points each. South Korea, with one point, are out of contention.

If India win or draw against China, they qualify for the final. If India lose, they will need Malaysia to lose or draw against Korea.

However, if India lose and Malaysia win, it will be China and Malaysia progressing.

Thus, Saturday’s double-header will be decisive not only for the Asia Cup final but also for the World Cup qualification race.
18:48 (IST) Sep 06
IND vs CHN Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: Goalkeeping under the spotlight
India will also rely on goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak, who has been inconsistent in recent matches. Though he made a brilliant penalty corner save against Malaysia, Fulton acknowledged he has also conceded soft goals.

“Goalkeeping is such a different position. Make one mistake, it’s all your fault. Strikers can make 10 mistakes and it’s still the goalkeeper’s fault. We try to balance how important that role is and provide a buffer,” Fulton said.

As India prepares for a must-win game, Pathak’s ability to stay composed under pressure may determine whether they progress to the final.
18:48 (IST) Sep 06
Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: Managing expectations key for success
Another area Fulton is keen to improve is the team’s ability to handle expectations from fans.

“Everyone wants to win and every shot to go in, but it doesn’t work like that. Other teams know we are a threat, so they just pack the D. It’s frustrating and it takes time to break it down,” Fulton explained.

For India to beat China and qualify for the final, they must overcome both tactical challenges and external pressures. The coaching staff believes the players are gradually adapting, but Fulton insists expectation management is as vital as skill execution.
18:47 (IST) Sep 06
IND vs CHN Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: Crowd pressure a concern for India
While India’s performances have improved, Fulton raised concerns about how players react to crowd pressure. During tense moments, instead of remaining calm and composed, they have often been restless.

“We just got to deal with the moment a bit better. The crowd is baying for blood. They want goals, and when the noise goes up, everyone thinks we have to hit it harder. But we need to be calmer and find where the space is,” Fulton noted.

Mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton has been working closely with the team to handle such high-pressure situations.
18:47 (IST) Sep 06
Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: Coach Fulton stresses on learning curve
Head coach Craig Fulton, however, is not overly concerned about the mixed performances so far. He reminded everyone of a similar situation during the Asian Champions Trophy in 2023.

“During the Asian Champions Trophy in 2023, we also drew with Japan in the group stage. Then we played them in the semifinal and we won that 5-0. So, we are fast learners,” Fulton said. He added that while the team wasn’t sharp initially, they are growing into the tournament. For him, slow but steady progress is better than peaking too early and faltering at crucial stages.
18:46 (IST) Sep 06
IND vs CHN Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: India one step away from Asia Cup Final
The Indian men’s hockey team is just a step away from sealing their place in the Asia Cup final, but the last hurdle comes in the form of China — a side that has already tested them earlier in the tournament.

In the first group game, China nearly held India to a draw, showing they have the ability to unsettle the defending champions. Saturday’s clash will not only decide who reaches the final but could also play a major role in shaping the qualification for the upcoming World Cup, adding weight to an already intense battle.
India vs China Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Live: The Indian men’s hockey team faces a decisive clash against China today, with a place in the Asia Cup final at stake. India, who drew with China in the group stage, currently top the Super4s table with four points, while China and Malaysia are just behind with three each.

Head coach Craig Fulton believes the team is peaking at the right time, noting their ability to learn from setbacks. He cautioned, however, that players must manage crowd pressure and fan expectations better, highlighting the role of mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton. Goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak will also be under the spotlight after inconsistent performances.

China’s rise has been credited to an experienced backroom staff led by Michel van den Heuvel, Roelant Oltmans, and Anthony Farry, who have instilled tactical discipline and improved fitness. With World Cup qualification also on the line, the outcome will hinge on composure under pressure and the ability to execute strategies in crunch moments.