India beat Japan 2-0 in Kakamigahaa to reach Asian Games men's hockey semifinals

India defeated hosts Japan 2-0 in Kakamigahaa, Japan in a Pool A match at the Asian Games on September 26, 2026, securing a place in the men's hockey semifinals.

The defending champions entered the contest on the back of three dominant pool wins — 13-1 over Indonesia, 16-1 over Sri Lanka and 8-2 over South Korea — and the victory over Japan was their fourth straight in the tournament, keeping their unbeaten run intact.

Abhishek opened the scoring with a field goal in the 15th minute, and skipper Harmanpreet Singh increased the lead in the 40th minute by converting India's fifth penalty corner with a fierce low flick to the right of the Japanese custodian, producing the match's only other goal.

The opening half comprised two competitive quarters, with Japan matching India ‘stick-for-stick’ through aggressive play, but India took a narrow lead into the break.

India earned 10 set pieces on the day but managed just one conversion, a shortcoming that India chief coach Craig Fulton will need to address ahead of the knockout rounds.

Japan dominated early possession in the first quarter with 60 per cent but India were more relentless in attack; an early penalty corner in the sixth minute failed to yield as Harmanpreet could not capitalize. In the 10th minute Japan had a penalty corner that resulted in a putative goal, which was subsequently disallowed after officials judged the ball had struck an Indian player's foot first. Japan had further penalty corner opportunities, including one in the 17th minute, but India defended successfully.

In the fourth quarter India controlled much of the ball and won four penalty corners in quick succession but could not add to the score against a resolute Japanese defence.

India will conclude Pool A with a match against Bangladesh on September 28; that fixture will be their final pool game before the semifinals.