India Defeats Malaysia to Retain Hockey Gold
India beat Malaysia 5–1 in the 2026 Asian Games men’s hockey final, successfully defending their title and securing direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Harmanpreet completed the scoring in the 57th minute with his second penalty-corner goal of the match. His two goals, alongside strikes from Jugraj, Hardik and Lakra, secured India’s four-goal victory.
The win marked the first time India had successfully defended its men’s hockey gold medal at the Asian Games. It was the country’s fifth gold in the event, following previous title wins in 1966, 1998, 2014 and 2022.
India’s victory also completed a historic double for Indian hockey at the 2026 Games. The women’s team had beaten China 1–0 on October 2 to win its first Asian Games gold in 44 years and qualify for the 2028 Olympics. Both Indian teams therefore finished the tournament as Asian Games champions.
The men’s gold added to India’s medal tally on the final day of the Games and confirmed the team’s place at the Los Angeles Olympics without requiring a separate qualification route.