India’s men are continental champions once again. The Indian men’s hockey team defeated Malaysia 5-1 in the final of the Asian Games 2026 at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara, Japan, on Saturday, successfully defending the gold medal it had won in 2022 and booking a direct ticket to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh led from the front with a brace, converting penalty corners in the 11th and 57th minutes. Jugraj Singh made it 2-1 from another penalty corner in the 23rd minute after Malaysia’s Shello Silverius had briefly levelled the scores in the 14th minute. Vice-captain Hardik Singh extended the lead from a penalty stroke in the 42nd minute, and Shilanand Lakra completed the rout with a field goal in the 54th.
India had made an aggressive start, earning the first penalty corner of the match. Harmanpreet’s scorching drag-flick gave India the lead, though Malaysia hit back within three minutes through a fine finish by Silverius. India regained control before half-time when Jugraj buried another powerful drag-flick past the Malaysian goalkeeper, and the second half belonged entirely to the world No. 8 side.
The triumph is India’s fifth men’s hockey gold at the Asian Games, following victories in 1966, 1998, 2014 and 2022 — and the first time the country has won back-to-back titles. Malaysia settled for silver, while Pakistan defeated South Korea 5-3 earlier in the day to take bronze.
The victory completed a historic double for Indian hockey. A day earlier, the women’s team had defeated China 1-0 to win gold after a 44-year wait — the first time both Indian hockey teams have stood atop the podium at the same Asian Games.
India’s road to the final had its share of drama. In the semifinal, the men edged arch-rivals Pakistan 4-3 in a thriller, with Abhishek scoring a late winner after India had squandered a 3-0 lead. Malaysia, meanwhile, had overcome South Korea in their semifinal. The unbeaten run through the tournament, capped by Saturday’s commanding final display, underlines the team’s growing stature ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics.
