India Beat South Korea 2-0 To Reach Asian Games Women's Hockey Final, Face China For Gold

Published: October 1, 2026, 9:12 AM IST
Written by Akash Saha | Edited and fact-checked by Amit Saha | Editorial policy

India’s women’s hockey team reached the Asian Games final on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, beating South Korea 2-0 in the semi-final in Nagoya. Ishika Chaudhary and captain Salima Tete scored the goals, and India will now play defending champions China for the gold medal on Friday, October 2.

Patience pays off after a goalless first half

India had plenty of the ball in the opening two quarters but could not find a way past a well-organised Korean defence, and the teams went into half-time level at 0-0. The pressure eventually told in the second half. Ishika broke the deadlock by converting from a penalty corner, and Salima Tete doubled the lead soon afterwards to give India breathing room.

South Korea pushed for a way back late in the match and won a series of penalty corners, but India’s defence held firm to keep a clean sheet and close out the win.

A shot at history against China

The stakes in Friday’s final are high. India’s only Asian Games gold in women’s hockey came at the 1982 New Delhi Games, which means a win over China would end a 44-year wait for a second title. China arrive as the defending champions, making them the toughest possible opponent for Salima Tete’s side.

Reaching the final already guarantees India at least a silver medal from the women’s tournament, adding to what has been a productive Games for the Indian contingent in Japan. On the same day, India’s compound archers swept all three team golds, a story you can read in our report on India’s compound archery clean sweep.