India secured a 3:1 victory over South Korea at the Asian Games on October 2, 2026, moving to the summit of their group. The hosts had been searching for momentum after a heavy 0:3 defeat to Pakistan the previous day, but found a way through against the visitors who were already showing signs of vulnerability. South Korea had dropped points in two of their last three outings, including losses to Iran and China.
The result meant India moved clear at the top with three wins from three matches, collecting eight points. South Korea's defeat left them in second place on seven points, with one loss to their name after their opening two victories. Both sides were looking to build momentum in the tournament, and this result shifted the balance in India's favour.
India's recent form had been inconsistent, with defeats to Japan and Pakistan bookending a run of three wins against Vietnam, Hong Kong and Qatar. South Korea showed similar patterns, with victories over Chinese Taipei, the Philippines and Australia, but losses to Iran and China in their last three games. The match on October 2 served as a turning point for both teams' campaigns.
The final scoreline reflected India's superiority on the day, with the hosts closing the game out after establishing their advantage. For South Korea, the defeat raised questions about consistency after appearing competitive in earlier matches. The result meant India could now claim they had weathered the storm of their opening setbacks.
With the group stage progressing, India's position at the top gave them a psychological edge going forward. South Korea would need to bounce back quickly from this setback if they hoped to catch the leaders. The eight-to-seven gap in points was narrow, but India's perfect record made them the team to beat in their section.
