Category: News
India beat Japan 4–1 in the final of the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 in Mohali on Thursday, 5 November 2026, to win a record-extending sixth title — and a third in a row.
The final was played at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali. Japan stunned the home crowd when Kazumasa Matsumoto scored in the third minute, and the visitors held their 1–0 lead until half-time.
Four goals in the final quarter
India turned the match around in the second half. Shilanand Lakra levelled the score in the 42nd minute. Dilpreet Singh put India ahead in the 48th minute. Jugraj Singh converted a penalty corner in the 53rd minute. A fourth goal followed in the 54th minute — ANI’s match report credits it to Vivek Sagar Prasad, while some other reports credit it to Sukhjeet Singh.
A record sixth title
India have now won the Asian Champions Trophy in 2011, 2016, 2018 (shared), 2023, 2024 and 2026 — six titles in all, including three in a row, a tournament record.
The ninth edition of the tournament ran from 27 October to 5 November 2026, with the league stage in Jalandhar and the semi-finals and final in Mohali. India remained unbeaten throughout, winning all seven matches. In the semi-final, India beat South Korea 8–1. Malaysia beat South Korea 5–2 to win the bronze medal.
India had also beaten Japan 4–1 in the league stage, on 30 October in Jalandhar — a different match from the final, with different scorers.
Rewards and farewells
Hockey India announced a cash reward of ₹3 lakh for each player and ₹1.5 lakh for each member of the support staff.
The final was also a farewell for midfielder Nilakanta Sharma, who played his last international match. Captain Harmanpreet Singh praised the team’s composure after the comeback win.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said Mohali is ready to host the 2030 Hockey World Cup. Punjab has produced 77 hockey Olympians and 48 Olympic medallists. Hardik Singh completed his 200th international appearance during the tournament.
Sources: ANI, 6 November 2026; MyKhel, 5 November 2026; Khel Now, 6 November 2026.
