Chandigarh/Mohali, November 6 (Sports Desk)
Defending champions India created history by clinching their record-extending sixth Asian Champions Trophy title after staging a remarkable comeback to defeat Japan 4-1 in the final at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium, Mohali, on Thursday.
With this triumph, India completed a hat-trick of consecutive titles, having also lifted the trophy in 2023 and 2024. The Indian team finished the tournament unbeaten, registering seven victories in seven matches.
In the bronze medal match played earlier in the day, Malaysia defeated South Korea 5-2 to secure third place.
India stage spectacular comeback in final
Japan, appearing in their third Asian Champions Trophy final, gave the hosts an early scare when Kazumasa Matsumoto scored a brilliant backhand goal in the third minute to put his team ahead 1-0. Japan maintained their advantage until half-time despite India’s attempts to equalise.
However, the Indian team came back strongly after the break. Shilanand Lakra restored parity in the 42nd minute by converting a penalty corner variation initiated by captain Harmanpreet Singh.
watch…..India Thrash South Korea 8-1, Storm into Hockey Final Against Japan
India took complete control in the final quarter. Dilpreet Singh scored in the 47th minute to give India a 2-1 lead. Jugraj Singh then produced a powerful drag-flick in the 52nd minute to extend the advantage to 3-1.
Vivek Sagar Prasad put the result beyond doubt just a minute later, finding the net in the 53rd minute to seal India’s emphatic 4-1 victory and spark celebrations among the home supporters.
India’s record sixth title
India had also defeated Japan 4-1 during the league stage at Jalandhar. With this latest victory, India have now won the Asian Champions Trophy in 2011, 2016, 2018 (joint winners), 2023, 2024 and 2026.
Japan, meanwhile, are still searching for their maiden title after finishing runners-up in the finals of 2013, 2021 and 2026.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh led the Indian side brilliantly throughout the tournament. Hardik Singh, Amit Rohidas, Shilanand Lakra and goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak also played important roles in India’s successful campaign.
Malaysia clinch bronze with 5-2 win over South Korea
Malaysia secured the bronze medal with an impressive 5-2 victory over South Korea after recovering from an early 1-2 deficit.
Fitri Saari gave Malaysia the lead in the second minute, but South Korea responded through Park Geun Woo, who converted a penalty corner in the fifth minute. Chun Semin then scored in the 13th minute to put South Korea ahead 2-1.
Malaysia bounced back strongly in the second half, with veteran forward Faizal Saari converting a penalty corner in the 34th minute to level the scores.
Abu Kamal Azrai emerged as the star performer, scoring twice in the 45th and 50th minutes to put Malaysia firmly in control at 4-2. His outstanding performance also earned him the Man of the Match award.
Captain Marhan Jalil completed the scoring with a penalty corner conversion in the 58th minute, sealing a convincing 5-2 victory for the Speedy Tigers.
The final was played before a packed stadium in Mohali, which hosted the knockout stage of the tournament. The league-stage matches had earlier been held at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar.
India’s historic triumph brought another memorable chapter to the country’s hockey legacy, with Mohali witnessing the celebrations as the national team lifted its sixth Asian Champions Trophy.
