There was not a spot available to even stand on one leg at the Rajgir Sports Complex’s hockey stadium on Sunday, when the 4000-capacity stadium was packed beyond limit to cheer the Indian team in the Asia Cup final against South Korea. And the hosts delivered in style, winning 4-1, to clinch their fourth Asia Cup title, also confirming their ticket to next year’s FIH World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Dilpreet scores brace

Dilpreet Singh was the star with two strikes, choosing the best day to redeem himself from an average show earlier in the tournament. Sukhjeet Singh and Amit Rohidas were the other scorers. “Seven games in the tournament, but we weren’t firing at the start. The objective was always to qualify for the final, which gives us a nice buffer. We don’t have to go through the [World Cup] qualifiers,” said coach Craig Fulton.