The Indian men’s hockey team earned direct qualification to the upcoming Olympic games at Los Angeles in two years’ time with a sensational 5-1 routing of Malaysia in the 2026 Asian Games gold medal match at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium.
Yesterday, the women’s team defeated China by 1-0 to secure top spot on the podium and today it was the men’s team that achieved a similar feat.
Both the men’s and women’s teams will not have to worry about Olympic qualification anymore and the focus will now shift on ending India’s wait for a gold medal at the grandest quadrennial sporting carnival in the USA.
India had a bright outing in team sports events today with the men’s cricket team also winning gold earlier in the day. Shreyas Iyer’s men defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in a thrilling finale to claim back-to-back first place finishes at the Asian Games.
Similarly, the men’s hockey team defended its gold medal, three years after ending an eight-year drought. The class of 2023 and 2026 becomes the first-ever Indian sides to win back-to-back golds at the Asian Games with their previous triumphs coming in the 1966, 1998 and 2014 editions.
Harmanpreet, Jugraj, Hardik and Lakra route Malaysia
Captain Harmanpreet Singh led the way with two goals, scoring in the 11th and 57th minutes while Jugraj Singh (23rd), Hardik Singh (42nd) and Shilanand Lakra (54th) also found the back of the net. Shello Silverius scored Malaysia’s only goal in the 14th minute.
Harmanpreet’s two goals also took his tournament tally to 12, making him the leading scorer of the competition. He also became the first Indian men’s hockey captain to win two Asian Games gold medals.
India had a difficult start against a lively Malaysian side. Their passing and trapping were not at their best in the opening quarter, while Malaysia’s quick forwards caused problems with their high press.
India earned two penalty corners in the 11th minute and Harmanpreet converted the second with a powerful drag-flick to put his side ahead.
Malaysia responded quickly and levelled the match three minutes later. Silverius controlled a high scoop inside the circle before sending a strong strike past Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera.
India regained the lead in the 23rd minute through Jugraj, who stepped up with Harmanpreet off the field and converted India’s fourth penalty corner.
The third quarter belonged to India. They created more chances and earned several penalty corners before being awarded a penalty stroke in the 42nd minute after a Malaysian defender was hit on the body. Hardik made no mistake, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 3-1.
India continued to push forward and added two more goals late in the match. Shilanand made it 4-1 in the 54th minute before Harmanpreet completed the scoring three minutes later.
India earned 14 penalty corners compared to Malaysia’s two and finished the tournament without losing a single match. They had also scored freely in the pool stage, underlining their attacking strength throughout the campaign.
The victory made India only the second team after Pakistan to win consecutive Asian Games men’s hockey gold medals. All eyes will now be on India’s upcoming FIH Pro League matches in the build-up to the 2028 Olympic games.