SportsPosted at: Nov 6 2026 2:55AM


India rally to beat Japan 4-1, claim record 6th Asian Champions Trophy title

By Neeraj Bali
Chandigarh, Nov 5 (UNI) India recovered from a halftime deficit to beat Japan 4-1 in the men's Asian Champions Trophy hockey final today, securing a record sixth title and completing a hat-trick of successive championships with an unbeaten run through the tournament.
The defending champions, who had won the competition in 2023 and 2024, scored four unanswered goals in the second half at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium to overcome a disciplined Japanese side that had threatened to cause an upset.
Shilanand Lakra equalised in the 42nd minute before Dilpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad struck in the final quarter to seal India's seventh consecutive victory in the tournament.
Japan had stunned the hosts in the third minute when Kazumasa Matsumoto scored with a reverse-stick shot, giving the visitors an advantage they maintained until halftime.
Despite dominating possession and creating several opportunities, India struggled to break down Japan's tightly organised defence during the opening two quarters.
Japanese goalkeeper Kisho Kuroda frustrated the Indian forwards with a series of saves, while the visitors' close marking restricted India's attacking combinations.
The breakthrough came in the 42nd minute after Kuroda blocked a penalty-corner attempt from captain Harmanpreet Singh. Aditya Lalage collected the rebound and set up Lakra, who converted from close range.
Japan challenged the goal, but the video umpire allowed it to stand.
The equaliser transformed the contest as India stepped up their attacking pressure and forced Japan onto the defensive.
Dilpreet put India ahead in the 48th minute, converting a move involving Hardik Singh, before Jugraj extended the advantage with a penalty-corner strike in the 53rd minute.
Vivek Sagar Prasad added another goal a minute later, completing a remarkable turnaround and ending Japan's hopes of winning their first Asian Champions Trophy title.
India had beaten Japan by the same 4-1 margin during the league stage in Jalandhar.
Thursday's victory took India's championship tally to six, following earlier triumphs in 2011, 2016, 2018, 2023 and 2024. The 2018 title was shared.
Japan, who had previously reached the final in 2013 and 2021, finished runners-up for the third time.
India's latest success also highlighted their attacking consistency throughout the competition, with Harmanpreet leading a squad that remained unbeaten across the league stage, semi-final and final.
In the bronze-medal match, Malaysia fought back from 2-1 down to defeat South Korea 5-2 and secure third place.
Fitri Saari opened the scoring for Malaysia in the second minute before South Korea responded through Park Gyun-woo and Chun Semin to take the lead.
Faizal Saari restored parity in the 34th minute, while Abu Kamal Azrai struck twice in the second half to put Malaysia firmly in control.
Captain Marhan Jalil completed the scoring in the 58th minute as Malaysia finished their campaign with a convincing victory.
The tournament was staged across two Punjab cities, with Jalandhar hosting the league matches and Mohali staging the knockout rounds, including the final.
UNI NB SS
Tags: #India rally to beat Japan 4-1# claim record 6th Asian Champions Trophy title
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