Asian Champions Trophy 2026: India Beat Japan 4-1 To Secure Third Consecutive Victory

Jalandhar: The Indian hockey team's excellent performance continues in the Hero Asian Champions Trophy. India registered its third consecutive win in the tournament by defeating Japan 4-1 in the match played at Olympian Surjit Singh Stadium in Jalandhar. For India, Abhishek Nain scored two goals, while captain Harmanpreet Singh and Vishnukant scored one goal each to ensure the team's victory.

Abhishek Nain scored two goals

India played aggressively from the beginning of the match. Abhishek Nain gave India the lead by scoring a field goal in the 11th minute. However, Japan made the score 1-1 in the 15th minute through Shota Yamada's penalty stroke goal. After this the Indian players strengthened their hold on the match.

No goals were scored in the third quarter, but India made continuous attacks in the last quarter. Captain Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner in the 47th minute to put India ahead 2-1. Abhishek Nain scored his second goal in the 51st minute, while Vishnukant scored a field goal in the 56th minute to seal India's 4-1 victory.

Malaysia's third consecutive victory

In another match, Malaysia performed brilliantly and defeated Bangladesh 6-1. With this victory, the Malaysian team also registered its third consecutive win in the tournament. For Malaysia, Abu Kamal Azrai scored a field goal in the 14th minute and scored the second goal from a penalty corner in the 22nd minute.

After this, Mohammad Akhimullah Anuar Esuk scored in the 29th minute, Azimuddin Kamaruddin in the 32nd minute, Shailo Silverius in the 33rd minute and Aiman Rozemi scored in the 50th minute. For Bangladesh, Amirul Islam scored the team's only goal by converting a penalty corner in the 26th minute.

South Korea recorded its first victory

In the other match of the day, South Korea defeated China 2-1 to get its first win of the tournament. China had taken the lead at the beginning of the match. Chen Chongkang scored for the team on a penalty stroke in the eighth minute. However, South Korea made a great comeback in the second half. Team captain Kim Yong-bok equalised the score with a field goal in the 35th minute. Just one minute later, Kim Jeho scored the second field goal in the 36th minute to give South Korea a decisive 2-1 lead. After this, the Chinese team could not match and South Korea won the match.