India Reaches Asian Games Hockey Final; Sunil Wins Wrestling Bronze

Second-half goals from Ishika and Salima Tete helped India defeat South Korea 2-0 on Wednesday and advance to the women’s hockey final against China at the Aichi Asian Games.

China secured its place in the final with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Japan after their semifinal ended goalless.

Meanwhile, Sunil Kumar earned India’s first wrestling medal of the Games, winning bronze in the men’s 87 kg Greco-Roman competition. His podium finish took India’s overall medal tally to 60.

Sunil defeated Mohammad Sultanzok of Tajikistan in the quarterfinals before losing to Japan’s Taize Yashida in the semifinals. He then beat Callum Johnston Roberts of the Philippines in the bronze medal bout.

Seeking direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, India’s women began aggressively against South Korea, earning penalty corners in the second and fourth minutes. South Korea’s defense held firm against India’s conversion attempts, keeping the opening quarter goalless.

With Navneet leading the attack, India continued to put South Korea under pressure in the second quarter but could not break through. The teams went into halftime without scoring.

India found the breakthrough late in the third quarter after changing its penalty corner approach to an indirect attempt. Ishika finished the move to put India ahead.

Within four minutes, Salima Tete added a second goal, capitalizing on an opportunity to strengthen India’s position.

India continued to attack with greater penetration and organization in the fourth quarter. South Korea pushed for a late comeback, earning a series of penalty corners in the 57th and 58th minutes, followed by three more in the final two minutes.

India’s defense resisted the late pressure, preserving the shutout and securing a place in Friday’s gold medal match.

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