India Makes Winning Start in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025
The Indian men's senior hockey team kicked off their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Korea at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia, on Sunday. The match, which experienced significant delays, saw midfielder Mohammed Raheel emerge as the hero with his decisive 15th-minute goal.
Dominant Start and Early Breakthrough
India began the contest in impressive fashion, immediately taking control of the game with precise passing and commanding possession during the opening exchanges. The team's positive approach nearly paid early dividends when Sukhjeet Singh came agonizingly close to opening the scoring, striking the post from close range during a spell of sustained pressure.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 15th minute when Mohammed Raheel finished off a beautifully constructed team move, giving India a well-deserved 1-0 lead as the first quarter concluded. The goal showcased India's cohesive attacking play and understanding among players.
Resolute Defense Secures Victory
As Korea attempted to mount a comeback in the second quarter, they created several dangerous counter-attacking opportunities. However, Indian goalkeeper Mohith HS stood firm between the posts, making a crucial sharp save to deny the equalizer and ensure India maintained their advantage heading into halftime.
The third quarter saw India continuing to press for a second goal, earning multiple Penalty Corner opportunities that unfortunately didn't convert into goals. Defender Pawan emerged as a key figure during this period, making several important interventions to protect India's slender lead as Korea increased their offensive pressure.
In the final quarter, India intensified their efforts to secure the result, testing Korean goalkeeper Kim Jaehan repeatedly. The Korean shot-stopper, known for his previous heroics against India, made a spectacular close-range save to deny Abhishek and keep his team in contention with under seven minutes remaining.
The drama peaked in the closing moments when Korea won a Penalty Corner with under a minute to play. Once again, Mohith HS proved unbeatable, making a brilliant leg save to preserve India's lead and secure three valuable points for his team.
Tournament Significance and Squad Composition
This tournament serves as crucial preparation for the 2026 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup and the 2026 Asian Games, providing an excellent platform to test new combinations and expand India's player depth. Under the leadership of captain Sanjay, the squad features a mix of experienced and emerging talent.
The team composition includes goalkeepers Pawan and Mohith HS, while the defensive unit comprises Poovanna Chandura Boby, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Yashdeep Siwach, Jugraj Singh, Amit Rohidas and captain Sanjay. The midfield boasts Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem, Vivek Sagar Prasad and match-winner Mohammed Raheel Mouseen. The attacking responsibilities fall to Sukhjeet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Selvam Karthi, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Dilpreet Singh and Abhishek.
India will next face Belgium on November 24th at 15:30 hours IST, looking to build on this encouraging start to their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup campaign.
