SportsPosted at: Sep 20 2026 1:50PM


India crush Indonesia 13-1, start LA Olympics quest in style

Aichi-Nagoya, Sept 20 (UNI) India’s quest for a direct ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics got off to a flying start as the defending champions demolished Indonesia 13-1 in their Asian Games men’s hockey Pool A opener here on Sunday.
With the Asian Games gold medallist earning a direct qualification berth for the Los Angeles Olympics, India wasted no time in underlining their intent, producing a devastating attacking display to launch their title defence in style.
India dominated from the opening whistle, with Dilpreet Singh spearheading the rout with four goals, while Shilanand Lakra and Sukhjeet Singh contributed two each. Abhishek, Rajinder Singh, Mandeep Singh and captain Harmanpreet Singh were the other scorers.
Shilanand opened India's account in the fifth minute before Abhishek doubled the lead in the 12th.
Dilpreet then struck twice in quick succession, scoring in the 18th and 19th minutes as India surged further ahead.
Rajinder and Mandeep added to Indonesia's misery before Harmanpreet converted a penalty corner in the 28th minute to send India into the half-time break with a commanding 7-0 lead.
Indonesia finally found a breakthrough when Al Ardh Aulia scored in the 33rd minute, but India responded almost immediately.
Shilanand scored his second in the 35th minute and Dilpreet completed his hat-trick two minutes later.
Sukhjeet then joined the scoring in the 38th minute as India moved into the final quarter with a 10-1 advantage.
There was no let-up from the defending champions as Sukhjeet struck twice in the 46th and 48th minutes before Dilpreet completed his four-goal performance in the 49th minute.
The 13-1 demolition gives India an imposing start to their campaign for a second successive Asian Games gold and, with it, a place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
India, who won the men's hockey gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, next face Sri Lanka in their Pool A campaign on Tuesday.
UNI BDN
Tags: #India crush Indonesia 13-1# start LA Olympics quest in style
More News

Asian Games TT: India sweep Indonesia, fall to Iran in Group F

20 Sep 2026 | 5:59 PM

Aichi-Nagoya, Sept 20 (UNI) India’s men’s table tennis campaign at the Asian Games got off to a promising start with a commanding 3-0 victory over Indonesia, but the momentum was abruptly halted as Iran swept them 3-0 in their next Group F tie here on Sunday.

see more..

Asian Games shooting: Elavenil doubles up on silver as India make strong start

20 Sep 2026 | 5:45 PM

New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) India made a strong start to its shooting campaign at the Asian Games on Sunday, with Sonam Uttam Maskar, Elavenil Valarivan and Vidarsa Vinod combining to win silver in the women's 10m air rifle team event.

see more..

Sonam, Elavenil, Vidarsa shoot India to Asian Games silver

20 Sep 2026 | 5:44 PM

Nagoya, Sept 20 (UNI) India opened its medal account at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with a silver in the women's 10m air rifle team event as Sonam Uttam Maskar, Elavenil Valarivan and Vidarsa K Vinod combined for a strong second-place finish here on Sunday.

see more..

Mandaviya, PT Usha meet Indian fencing team ahead of Asian Games

20 Sep 2026 | 5:26 PM

New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P.T. Usha met the Indian fencing team on Sunday and extended their best wishes to the athletes ahead of their participation in the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

see more..

Asian Games: India, Malaysia reach women's team badminton quarterfinals

20 Sep 2026 | 5:23 PM

Nagoya (Japan), Sep 20 (UNI) India's P.V. Sindhu cruised to victory as India swept Kazakhstan 3-0 to reach the women's team badminton quarterfinals at the Asian Games on Sunday, while Malaysia advanced after beating Hong Kong, China in the same score.

see more..