India, Sept. 9 -- T he Indian men's hockey team ended an eight-year wait for continental glory with a resounding 4-1 victory over South Korea in Rajgir (Bihar) on Sunday, clinching their fourth Asia Cup crown and sealing qualification for the 2026 FIH World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands. Former Indian internationals were quick to laud the achievement. "Ye bahut proud ki baat hai humare desh ke liye ki humne apne India mein ye jeet hasil ki vo bhi 8 saal ke baad, aur sabse badi baat ki humne World Cup ke liye qualify bhi kar liya hai," said ex-captain Ritu Rani. Former captain Sardar Singh, who was part of India's 2017 Asia Cup-winning squad, says, "The boys have not just won the trophy, but have dominated under pressure... If they keep playing like this, they will continue to be the world beaters that they truly are." The win, India's first since 2017, also made them the most successful side in the tournament's history. With four titles (2003, 2007, 2017, 2025), India now surpass South Korea's five and Pakistan's three championships, underlining their dominance in Asian hockey. Raghunath VR, a member of the 2007-winning squad, hailed the triumph as more than just a title: "Becoming champions of Asia is a statement. The win tells other non-Asian countries that India is a serious team and big contenders for the World Cup as well. led by Harmanpreet, this team showcased that they can beat anyone." With inputs from Karan Sethi...