Asia Cup hockey, final scenarios for India: How can Salima Tete’s side reach final after 1-4 defeat against China? | Hockey News

The Indian women’s hockey team suffered their first loss of the 2025 Women’s Asia Cup, going down in their second Super4s Pool match 1-4 against hosts China in Hangzhou on Thursday. Mumtaz Khan (38′) was the only goalscorer for India, while Zou Meirong (4′, 56′), Chen Yang (31′) and Tan Jinzhuang (47′) scored goals for China. The top two teams at the end of the Super 4s qualify for final, where the winner takes home the Asia Cup trophy as well as a place in 2026 Hockey World Cup. The Indian men’s team had earlier confirmed their ticket for the marquee tournament winning the men’s Asia Cup that concluded in Rajgir on Sunday.
So where does this loss leave Salima Tete’s India? With one match each to go in the Super 4s for India, China, Korea and Japan, here is a look at the scenarios for teams looking to qualify for the finals now.
What’s the Super 4s points standings now?
After India’s 1-4 defeat against China, one spot is already confirmed for Sunday’s final. China have qualified for the title clash with six points from two matches, leaving India, Korea and Japan jostling for the one remaining spot. India are placed second with three points, while Japan and Kore have one point each after playing out a rather damaging 1-1 draw on Thursday. In the final Super 4s matches on Saturday, India take on Japan at 2.15 pm while China face Korea at 4.30 pm . The top two teams at the end of these two matches will reach the title clash on Sunday, keeping alive their chances of sealing their World Cup spot for next year, while the teams placed 3rd and 4th will meet in a playoff for bronze.

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What must India do to reach final?
India play Japan before China play Korea later. That means, to make sure they keep destiny in their own hands and not face an anxious wait, India must defeat Japan. The two sides played out a thrilling 2-2 draw when they met in Pool B earlier in the tournament, with India equalising with the final piece of action. So it is easier said than done. But if India manage to beat Japan, they’d go to 6 points and therefore eliminate Japan as well as Korea.
If India vs Japan ends in a draw, Japan can’t qualify for final but it would keep the door ajar for Korea. India will be on 4 points and the goal difference will stay -1. Korea have a GD of -2 so they’d need to beat China a two-goal margin to pip India to the finishing line. But given the form China have been on, having conceded only one goal all tournament, it appears to be an unlikely scenario.
If India lose against Japan, then coach Harendra Singh’s wards will not qualify for the final as Japan will reach four points and India will remain on three. It will then come down to Korea and Japan, and Korea’s equation would be to better Japan’s scoreline against India.
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