Two Consecutive 5-0 Shutouts! Korean Men’s Hockey Dominates Asia in a Blazing, Goal-Free Run [Nagoya Asian Games]

[Financial News]  The Korean men’s national field hockey team is unleashing a fierce scoring storm across Asia. After two straight 5-0 shutout victories in the group stage, Korea has paved the way toward a semifinal berth. Defender Im Do-hyeon of the Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps stole the spotlight with a one-man show, scoring four goals and setting the Nagoya area alight.
The Korean men’s national field hockey team, led by head coach Min Tae-seok, defeated Indonesia 5-0 in the second Pool A group-stage match of the men’s hockey competition at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The match was held on the 22nd at Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Gifu Prefecture, Japan.
Korea had opened the tournament with a 5-0 win over Bangladesh four days earlier. With this victory, the team moved into the upper tier of Pool A at 2-0 with six points. In just two matches, Korea has scored 10 goals without conceding a single one, showcasing perfect balance in attack and defense.
The clear star of the victory was defender Im Do-hyeon. He made the most of penalty-corner opportunities, similar to set pieces in soccer, and repeatedly found the back of Indonesia’s net. Im completed a hat trick with sharp penalty-corner shots in each quarter from the first through the third. In the third quarter, he calmly converted a penalty stroke in a one-on-one against the goalkeeper, completing a remarkable four-goal performance on his own.
Korea seized control early through Im Do-hyeon’s relentless attack. Kim Hyeon-hong of the Incheon Metropolitan City Sports Council then added a decisive goal from a penalty corner, putting the finishing touch on the 5-0 victory.
After securing two straight wins with ease, the Min Tae-seok-led team now turns its attention to a pivotal three-match stretch that could determine its semifinal hopes. Korea will face world powerhouse India on the 24th, followed by Sri Lanka on the 26th and host Japan on the 28th.
With semifinal tickets reserved for the top two teams in Pools A and B, head coach Min Tae-seok has prepared a thorough, opponent-specific strategy. Min declared, "We will battle India, Asia’s strongest team, in a hard-fought match and aim for at least a draw. We will also make sure to defeat the difficult host nation Japan and advance from the group stage with a 4-1 record." The Taegeuk sticks, riding an unstoppable two-game winning streak, are racing toward Korea’s bid to reclaim an Asian Games medal for the first time in 12 years.
[email protected] Jeon Sang-il Reporter