Archive · 5 Oct 2026
India Defend Asian Games Hockey Gold, Qualify for LA 2028
India’s men’s hockey team played Malaysia in the Asian Games final and won 5-1.
The match was played in Japan on October 3, 2026.
This was the first time India’s men had successfully defended their Asian Games hockey gold.
The win also gave India a direct place in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Harmanpreet Singh scored twice for India.
Jugraj Singh, Hardik Singh and Shilanand Lakra scored one goal each.
Malaysia scored once through Shello Silverius.
India’s women had also won hockey gold by beating China 1-0.
It was the first Asian Games where both Indian hockey teams won gold.
India beat Malaysia 5-1 in the men’s final on October 3, defending its Asian Games title for the first time.
The victory earned India direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Harmanpreet Singh scored twice; Jugraj Singh, Hardik Singh and Shilanand Lakra also scored for India, while Shello Silverius scored for Malaysia.
India won 14 penalty corners to Malaysia’s two, and Manpreet Singh said the team focused on its goal despite criticism.
India’s women also won gold, beating China 1-0; it was the first Asian Games where both Indian hockey teams won gold.
- Who
- India and Malaysia’s men’s hockey teams; India won 5-1.
- What
- India defended its Asian Games men’s hockey title and qualified directly for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- When
- October 3, 2026.
- Where
- Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara, Japan.
- Why
- The Asian Games gold secured India a direct Olympic berth.
Kit supporters
Kit critics
Orange-dominated team kit
Kit supporters
Hockey India said the players selected the orange-dominated kit after consultation; secretary general Bhola Nath Singh defended it after both teams won gold.
Kit critics
The change from traditional blue drew criticism, including from former India player Viren Rasquinha.
- Final score
- India 5, Malaysia 1
- India’s scorers
- Harmanpreet Singh (11th and 57th minutes), Jugraj Singh (23rd), Hardik Singh (42nd) and Shilanand Lakra (54th)
- Malaysia’s scorer
- Shello Silverius (14th minute)
- Olympic qualification
- India qualified directly for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
- Penalty corners
- India earned 14; Malaysia earned two
- Women’s hockey
- India beat China 1-0 for gold; it was the first Asian Games where both Indian hockey teams won gold
- Tournament scoring
- Harmanpreet Singh finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 12 goals
- Next squad plans
- Head coach Craig Fulton said he would assess talent and build a fresh squad after the Hockey India League
Sources
Asian Games: India men defend hockey gold for the first time with stellar 5-1 win, qualify for LA 2028 (Ld)
After HIL, our focus will be on building a fresh squad for LA 2028: India head coach Craig Fulton
Asian Games 2026: India defend men’s hockey gold, qualify for LA 2028 Olympics
‘Achieved what we came for’: Manpreet says India’s gold answers critics as men defend Asian Games hockey title
Asian Games 2026: India Defend Men's Hockey Gold, Book Olympic Berth
Harmanpreet Singh: 'We always dominate in Asia,' says captain after Asian Games hockey gold
India defend Asian Games men’s hockey gold, book Olympic berth
Asian Games: ‘We achieved what we came for,' says Manpreet after India defend hockey gold
India Beat Malaysia 5-1 In Men's Hockey Final To Clinch Asian Games 2026 Gold; Qualify For Olympics 2028
India beat Malaysia 5-1 to defend Asian Games men”s hockey gold, qualify for LA Olympics
India Completes Hockey Double; Men's Team Seals Gold; Secure Place In Los Angeles 2028 Olympics
After Hockey India League, our focus will be on building a fresh squad for LA 2028: India head coach Craig Fulton
India defend Asian Games hockey gold, beat Malaysia 5-1 in final to qualify for LA28
