India retained the Asian Games men’s hockey title with a commanding 5-1 victory over Malaysia in the final at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Saturday, securing direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The victory also made India the first team to defend the men’s hockey gold at the Asian Games.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored twice, while Jugraj Singh, Hardik Singh and Shilanand Lakra added one goal each. Malaysia’s Shello Silverius scored their only goal.
India entered the final unbeaten after winning all five Pool A matches.
The defending champions then edged Pakistan 4-3 in a tense semi-final after Pakistan cancelled a three-goal deficit before Abhishek struck the winner in the final minute.
India started the final aggressively and created repeated circle entries. Harmanpreet opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a penalty-corner drag-flick.
Malaysia quickly levelled through Silverius, who beat Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera with a strike from the left flank. India regained the lead in the 23rd minute when Jugraj converted a penalty corner.
India Pull Away After Half-Time
India controlled possession after the interval and increased the pressure on Malaysia.
The team earned a penalty stroke after the ball struck a Malaysian defender, and Hardik converted from the spot to make it 3-1.
Shilanand extended India’s advantage in the 54th minute after a deflection, before Harmanpreet completed his brace with another penalty-corner conversion.
The victory delivered India’s fifth Asian Games men’s hockey gold after previous triumphs in 1966, 1998, 2014 and 2022.
India also completed a historic hockey double at the 2026 Asian Games, with the women’s team winning gold after defeating China in the final.
This marks the first edition in which both Indian hockey teams have won the Asian Games title.
The men’s triumph also secured India’s direct Olympic berth for Los Angeles 2028, adding another milestone to their continental campaign.
Also Read: Asian Games: Jay Shah Congratulates Team India After T20 Gold In Nagoya
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