Indian hockey team beats Japan to win Asian Champions Trophy

The Indian hockey team won the Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2026 title by defeating Japan 4-1 in the final played in Punjab. India has clinched this trophy for a record sixth time and for the third consecutive time.

In the third minute of the final match played at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Hockey Stadium in Mohali, Japan's Kazumasa Matsumoto scored a goal to give his team the lead. Japan remained ahead 1-0 until halftime.

The Indian team made a tremendous comeback in the second half. Shilanand Lakra scored the equalizer in the 42nd minute. Thereafter, Dilpreet Singh in the 47th minute, Jugraj Singh in the 52nd minute and Vivek Sagar Prasad in the 53rd minute scored goals to secure India's 4-1 victory.

Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh was chosen as the best player of the tournament. He was also the top scorer of the tournament with 10 goals. During this competition, he also completed his 250 goals in senior international hockey. Indian goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak was declared the best goalkeeper of the tournament.

In the match for third place, Malaysia defeated South Korea 5-2 to win the bronze medal. The Indian team remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and won all its seven matches, which included the five league round matches held in Jalandhar.

According to a statement issued by the Punjab government, this successful event has strengthened the state's claim to host the 2030 Hockey World Cup. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is engaged in efforts to put Punjab on the world hockey map.

Key developments

• India defeated Japan 4-1 in the final to win the title for the sixth time.
• Shilanand, Dilpreet, Jugraj and Vivek scored goals for India in the second half.
• Captain Harmanpreet Singh became the player of the tournament with 10 goals.
• Krishan Bahadur Pathak was declared the best goalkeeper of the tournament.