Asian Games 2026: Dilpreet Singh nets four as India rout Indonesia 13-1
The Indian Men’s Hockey Team opened their 20th Asian Games campaign with a 13-1 win over Indonesia in a Pool A match at the Kawasaki Juko Stadium on Sunday, with Dilpreet Singh scoring four goals. Eight different Indian players found the net as India produced a dominant performance from start to finish.
Eight different goal-scorers were on target for the Indian team, headlined by Dilpreet Singh’s four-goal haul, as India began the defence of their continental crown. India took an early lead when Shilanand Lakra converted a rebound off Harmanpreet Singh’s saved drag-flick in the 6th minute, and Abhishek doubled the advantage in the 12th minute after Indonesia goalkeeper Alam Fajar parried an initial effort. Despite Fajar making a couple of early saves to deny Mandeep Singh, India closed the first quarter 2-0.
The second quarter saw India extend their lead rapidly: Dilpreet Singh struck twice inside two minutes in the 18th and 19th minutes, Rajinder Singh scored in the 19th minute, and Mandeep Singh added a goal in the 21st minute. Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner in the 28th minute after having an earlier penalty stroke saved by Fajar diving to his right. India went into half-time leading 7-0, having scored from open play, penalty corners, and a variety of combinations.
Indonesia reduced the deficit in the third quarter when captain Aulia Al Ardh converted a penalty corner in the 33rd minute following a video referral in their favour. India replied with Shilanand Lakra’s second goal in the 35th minute, Dilpreet completing his hat-trick in the 37th minute, and Sukhjeet Singh scoring in the 38th minute to make it 10-1 by the end of the third quarter.
In the final quarter Jugraj Singh converted from India’s second penalty corner attempt in the 47th minute after his first effort was blocked by the first rusher, and Sukhjeet Singh added his second of the match in the 48th minute. Dilpreet Singh completed his four-goal game with a deflected finish in the 49th minute after an initial touch from Abhishek; Indonesia retained some possession in the circle during the closing minutes.
The eight Indian goal-scorers were Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Rajinder Singh, Mandeep Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, and Jugraj Singh, with goals coming from a mix of open play and set-piece routines. The comprehensive victory set a clear tone for India’s Pool A campaign.
India will next face Sri Lanka in their second Pool A fixture on September 22, with the match scheduled to begin at 3:30 PM IST; the team will look to carry forward the attacking rhythm and defensive discipline on display against Indonesia as they build towards the knockout stages of the tournament.
