Harmanpreet Singh scores twice as India retain their Asian Games title; Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams both claim gold for the first time at the same editionKakamigahara, Japan,
India’s men’s hockey team defeated Malaysia 5-1 in the final at Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Saturday to win the gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games. The victory also secured India a direct qualification berth for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.India controlled much of the contest, recovering quickly after Malaysia equalised in the first quarter and scoring four more goals to seal a convincing victory.Harmanpreet Leads India’s Goal FestIndia opened the scoring in the 11th minute when captain Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner. Malaysia responded in the 14th minute through a field goal by Shalee Silverius to make it 1-1.India regained the lead in the 23rd minute as Jugraj Singh converted a penalty corner to put the team ahead 2-1.After the interval, Hardik Singh extended India’s advantage in the 42nd minute by converting a penalty stroke. Shilanand Lakra added a field goal in the 54th minute, before Harmanpreet scored his second goal of the match from a penalty corner in the 57th minute.The final score stood at 5-1, confirming India’s victory and its place at the next Summer Olympics.India Successfully Defends Asian Games TitleThe triumph marked a historic achievement for Indian men’s hockey, as the team successfully defended its Asian Games gold medal for the first time. India had also won the title at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.With the 2026 victory, India has now won five men’s hockey gold medals at the Asian Games, following its previous triumphs in 1966, 1998, 2014 and 2022.Women’s Team Also Wins GoldIndia’s women’s hockey team also secured gold at the 2026 Asian Games, defeating China 1-0 in Friday’s final. The victory earned the women’s team a direct berth at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.It was the Indian women’s team’s first Asian Games gold since 1982. The double triumph means both Indian hockey teams have won gold medals at the same edition of the continental competition.India’s men’s and women’s hockey successes add to the country’s medal haul and secure Olympic qualification for both teams.
