The four teams for the semi-finals of the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 have been decided. The host Indian team and Malaysia had secured their place in the semi-finals with three consecutive wins. Now South Korea and Japan have taken entry in the last-4. South Korea beat Bangladesh 5-0 on Sunday (November 1), while Japan drew 2-2 against China.
South Korea's team is currently at third place in the points table with two wins in four matches. For that, Dan Son scored a hat-trick by scoring goals in the 17th, 32nd and 51st minutes, while Geunwoo Park converted a penalty corner in the seventh and 34th minutes. South Korea will face India in its final round-robin match on Monday.
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The draw was not enough for China
In the second match of the day, Japan conceded a penalty corner goal in the last minute, leading to a 2-2 draw against the young Chinese team. China took the lead in the eighth minute with the help of a field goal by Zhang Jialiang. Japan captain Riki Fushishima equalized the score by converting a penalty corner in the 48th minute.
A few seconds later, Yuma Nagai scored a field goal to put Japan ahead 2-1. However, China made the score 2-2 in the last minute of the match with the help of a goal scored by Chen Benhai from a penalty corner. But this draw was not enough to take China to the semi-finals and Japan confirmed its place in the last-4.
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India competes with Malaysia
The Indian team is facing Malaysia in the fourth round robin match. Both the teams recently faced each other in the final of the Asian Games. India had defeated Malaysia 5-1 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. However, India has always faced a tough challenge from the Malaysian team. It remains to be seen how Team India faces the Malaysian challenge this time.