India Become Champions at Two Consecutive Asian Games for the First Time

Aichi-Nagoya, October 3 (HS): The Indian men’s hockey team created history by winning the gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games. In the final played at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Saturday, India defeated Malaysia 5-1 to clinch the title. With this victory, India became champions in men’s hockey at two consecutive editions of the Asian Games for the first time.

This was India’s fifth gold medal in men’s hockey at the Asian Games. India had previously won gold in 1966, 1998, 2014 and 2022. By retaining the title in 2026 after their triumph in 2022, India achieved the distinction of winning men’s hockey gold at two successive Asian Games for the first time.

The victory also secured India direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. In another significant achievement, India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams both won gold medals at the same edition of the Asian Games for the first time. On Friday, the Indian women’s team defeated China 1-0 in the final to claim the gold medal. Thus, hockey became the third team sport, after kabaddi and cricket, in which India won gold medals in both the men’s and women’s events at the same edition of the Asian Games.

Harmanpreet Gives India the Lead

India started aggressively and made its first circle entry in the fourth minute. Vivek had an opportunity in the sixth minute, but his reverse hit went wide of the target. India earned its first penalty corner in the 12th minute, and captain Harmanpreet Singh converted it with a superb drag-flick to give India a 1-0 lead.

Malaysia equalised just two minutes later. Shello Silverius controlled a high pass from the left and produced an excellent half-volley from a tight angle, beating Indian goalkeeper Suraj to make it 1-1. The first quarter ended with the scores level.

Jugraj Puts India Back in Front

India maintained the pressure in the second quarter. In the 23rd minute, India won a penalty corner, and Jugraj Singh scored with a fine drag-flick to restore India’s lead at 2-1. India went into half-time with the advantage intact.

India continued to control possession in the third quarter, but clear opportunities were limited by Malaysia’s strong defensive organisation. In the 43rd minute, following a deflection off Mandeep Singh, the ball struck a defender’s body on the goal line, resulting in a penalty stroke for India. Hardik Singh took responsibility and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to score, extending India’s lead to 3-1.

India Score Twice in Final Quarter

India continued to apply sustained pressure in the fourth quarter. In the 53rd minute, India earned consecutive penalty corners. Following a television review, the penalty corner was upheld, and India capitalised two minutes later. In the 55th minute, a fine effort from Abhishek on the right resulted in a deflection that sent the ball towards Shilanand Lakra, who finished from close range to make it 4-1.

Two minutes later, following another review, a push on Dilpreet Singh was confirmed, giving India another penalty corner. Harmanpreet Singh once again produced a superb drag-flick to score and give India a decisive 5-1 lead.

India denied Malaysia any opportunity to mount a comeback during the final minutes and completed a comprehensive 5-1 victory to secure the gold medal.

With this victory, India’s medal tally at the 2026 Asian Games rose to 85, comprising 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze medals.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar