India Dominates Japan in Asian Champions Trophy Match

In a remarkable display of skill, India's hockey team defeated Japan 4-1 in the Asian Champions Trophy held in Jalandhar. Abhishek Nain celebrated his 150th international match with two goals, while Harmanpreet Singh and Vishukant Singh also contributed to the scoreline. Despite a challenging match, India turned the tide in the final quarter, showcasing their strength and determination. The team is set to face Malaysia next, both teams remaining unbeaten in the tournament. Read on for a detailed breakdown of the match highlights and upcoming challenges.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 30, 2026, 22:53 IST

India Continues Winning Streak Against Japan

In a thrilling encounter at Jalandhar's Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, Team India maintained their unbeaten streak in the Asian Champions Trophy by defeating Japan with a score of 4-1. Abhishek Nain marked his 150th international match with a remarkable performance, scoring two goals. Harmanpreet Singh and Vishukant Singh also contributed to the scoreboard. Japan's Shota Yamada managed to score their only goal through a penalty stroke, as reported by ESPN.

Intense Competition on Home Ground

Despite taking an early lead, India faced significant challenges for three quarters of the match. Japan's defense was solid, forcing India to work hard for scoring opportunities. The breakthrough came in the 11th minute when Sukhjeet showcased impressive stick skills, assisting Abhishek in scoring. However, Japan equalized before the first quarter ended, thanks to a penalty stroke awarded after a drag flick from captain Raiki Fujishima struck Sanjay, who was defending on the line. Although it appeared to hit Sanjay's hand, India's review was unsuccessful, allowing Shot to convert the penalty into a goal.

Final Quarter Shift in Momentum

The next two quarters saw no goals, with Japan's disciplined play preventing India from breaking through their defense. The visitors displayed confidence both with and without the ball, consistently earning penalty corners that India struggled to defend. However, the tide turned just two minutes into the final quarter when Angad Bir Singh earned India's first penalty stroke. Captain Harmanpreet, known for his clutch drag-flicks, successfully converted it, igniting the home crowd's excitement. Four minutes later, Abhishek scored again with a close-range finish, despite heavy defensive pressure. Vishukant sealed the victory with a goal after skillfully handling an aerial pass and running into the circle.

Upcoming Match Against Malaysia

India's next challenge will be against Malaysia on November 1, with both teams remaining unbeaten in the tournament. Malaysia secured a 6-1 victory over Bangladesh earlier on Friday, while India had previously dominated Bangladesh with a 13-0 win and followed it up with a 5-2 victory against China.