title: Craig Fulton hails India’s fighting spirit after sealing 2026 World Cup spot

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Craig Fulton hails India’s fighting spirit after sealing 2026 World Cup spot

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India’s men’s hockey team clinched their fourth Asia Cup title in Rajgir, defeating South Korea 4-1 to cap a notable campaign. The victory carried immediate reward, securing their place in the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup. The result underlined both the outcome on the day and the larger objective that drove the team through the tournament.

Head coach Craig Fulton hailed the side’s fighting spirit, highlighting the resilience the players showed throughout the competition. His appreciation spoke to the way the group absorbed pressure across games and stayed committed to the task at hand. By commending their effort across the tournament, he placed the triumph within the context of sustained application rather than a single performance.

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh emphasised the team’s determination to prove their top ranking, aligning the victory with their broader competitive intent. The message from the captain reflected a dressing room that was keen to translate rankings into results, and to do so in decisive fashion. With the title secured in Rajgir, the team’s stance was evident: to back their standing with a performance that met the standard they had set for themselves.

The 4-1 scoreline against South Korea delivered clarity on the day and served as the final step towards World Cup qualification. By lifting the Asia Cup for a fourth time, India confirmed their consistency at the continental level and converted it into a direct berth for 2026. The combination of a convincing result and a tangible qualification prize made the win significant on multiple fronts.

As the dust settled on the tournament in Rajgir, Fulton’s praise and Harmanpreet’s emphasis on proving the top ranking framed the narrative of India’s campaign. The team’s resilience was highlighted as a defining theme, while the outcome provided a clean pathway to the next global stage. With the Asia Cup secured and the World Cup spot sealed, the achievement marked a purposeful step forward, driven by determination and validated by a title-winning performance. Source: Sports Feed.

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Fulton hails India after clinching 2026 World Cup spot

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India win fourth Asia Cup in Rajgir, beat South Korea 4-1 to book 2026 World Cup; Harmanpreet highlights top ranking aim as Fulton praises resilience.

Original URL
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/craig-fulton-hails-indias-fighting-spirit-after-sealing-2026-world-cup-spot/articleshow/123764115.cms

Published
2025-09-08T10:54:46.000Z