Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025:  India begins campaign with 1-0 win against South Korea in Ipoh

The Indian men's hockey team made a triumphant start to their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup campaign with a 1-0 win against South Korea on Sunday (November 23). Making their 23rd appearance at the invitational event, the Indians, who were slated to play the tournament opener, had their match rescheduled to a late-night encounter following a spell of rain and thunderstorms in Ipoh

The Indians took the lead at the end of the opening quarter thanks to a team goal from open play, with Mohammed Raheel getting onto the scoresheet. Kim Jaehan in the Korean goal prevented the Indians from extending their lead with a flurry of outstanding saves.

India is now on top of the Azlan Shah Cup points table in the six-team competition with 3 points following a couple of drawn matches earlier in the day.

.The Koreans had the better of the early exchanges before the Indians manufactured a penalty corner in the third minute for what appeared to be a defender's foot in the circle, only to be turned down by the video umpire.

The Men in Blue did earn a penalty corner in the 12th minute with Amit Rohidas striking the goalpost with his lofted drag-flick off the follow-up award.

A lightning-quick counterattack led to a penalty corner at the other end but the Koreans were denied the opportunity of actually taking the setpiece after taking too long to take the push.

Abhishek and Dilpreet Singh came up with a speedy sortie in the 13th minute. Abhishek's tomahawk missed the mark narrowly. Abhishek then found Dilpreet Singh in the circle, who picked out an unmarked Mohammed Raheel. The player from Bangalore sent in a low, well-directed shot that beat the Korean goalkeeper in the 15th minute.

Abhishek did well to earn a penalty corner for his side in the 32nd minute, but Sanjay's drag flick was wide off target.

Jugraj Singh's low drag flick was stopped by Korean goalkeeper Kim Jaehan in the 38th minute. Cheon Min Su produced a penalty corner for Korea immediately after, but Pawan did well to stop both the initial drag-flick and the re-award.

Both teams failed to utilise their penalty corners in a match that witnessed lively end-to-end action and ended at the stroke of midnight.

India takes on Belgium in their second league match on Monday. The mighty Belgians were put to the test by Canada but managed to salvage a 1-1 draw thanks to a late goal. Shane McLeod's veterans are certain to come hard at Craig Fulton's young team on Monday.

India at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup down the years

Sanjay is captaining the Indians at the Azlan Shah Cup - Source: Getty

India won the bronze medal in the inaugural edition of the Azlan Shah Cup in 1983 before reigning supreme in the 1985 edition when the tournament was played as a biennial event.

The Indian men finished on top of the heap for a second time in 1991 before defeating Germany 5-4 (2-2) in a shootout in the 1995 final. After a long wait of 14 years, India defeated hosts Malaysia 3-1 to bag top honours in 2009 before being declared joint winners alongside South Korea a year later.

The Indians have never won the Azlan Shah Cup tournament since finishing runners-up to Australia (0-4) in the 2016 final, while also being edged out by Korea 2-4 (1-1) in a shootout in 2019.