Hockey ACT Final: IND 0-1 JPN — Matsumoto’s early strike and later equaliser by India reported in final
India and Japan met in the Asian Champions Trophy final on November 5, 2026, with Matsumoto scoring in the fourth minute to give Japan an early lead. India were reported to have trailed 0-1 at half-time but later drew level through Shilanand Lakra after a sequence of penalty corners and a successful TV-umpire review outcome.
Japan’s fourth-minute goal set the tone of the opening period; the visitors were described as organised and disciplined, mirroring their approach in the pool-stage meeting. India found some control of possession but failed to create clear-cut chances in the early stages, with an Abhishek attempt in the 10th minute going wide and Angad unable to get a deflection from a late delivery.
Jarmanpreet Singh’s delivery from the right produced openings for Sukhjeet and Abhishek in the first quarter, and Hardik SIngh tested the Japanese goalkeeper with a shot from the centre of the circle that was pushed away. Aditya attempted to capitalise on the rebound but a Japanese defender’s intervention denied the follow-up, and India lost an early review for a claimed push inside the circle.
India intensified after the restart, dominating possession and mounting repeated circle entries; Dilpreet Singh forced a deflection that led to a long corner. Hardik SIngh made a run down the right and squared to Dilpreet, only for a Japanese defender to intercept, while Watanabe produced a timely block to deny another Indian attempt.
India’s equalising sequence began from back-to-back penalty corners when Harmanpreet Singh’s efforts were saved by Japanese goalkeeper Kisho Kuroda, but Shilanand Lakra converted from close range after receiving a reverse-flick pass from Aditya. Japan took a review over a possible dangerous pass, but the TV umpire found no clear reason to overturn the on-field decision and the goal was recorded.
India’s matchday selection listed Suraj Karkera, Jarmanpreet Singh, Hardik SIngh, Dilpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Jugraj Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Sukhjeet Singh, Sanjay and Shilanand Lakra, with substitutes Abhishek, Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Aditya Lalage, Amit Rohidas, Angad Bir Singh, Amandeep Lakra and Vishnukant Singh.
Japan reached the final after defeating Malaysia in the semi-final; following a goalless draw in regulation time they won the penalty shootout 5-3. In the league phase Japan finished second with 10 points from five matches, registering three victories, one draw and one defeat, and had previously lost 4-1 to India in the competition while still troubling the hosts during that encounter.
The outcome of this match will determine the Asian Champions Trophy winner, with the final result deciding the tournament champion.
