India beat Malaysia 5-1 in Nagoya to retain men's Asian Games hockey gold

India's men's hockey team beat Malaysia 5-1 in the Asian Games final in Nagoya on October 3, 2026, to retain the continental title and complete a golden double after the women's team won gold the previous day.

Entering the final as defending champions from Hangzhou 2022, India achieved their first successful defence in the men's team’s Asian Games history and claimed a fifth men's hockey gold at the Games, adding to wins in 1966, 1998, 2014 and 2022; the women's side had ended a 44-year wait with a 1-0 victory over reigning champions China a day earlier.

India began the match on the front foot and the breakthrough came in the 11th minute from a penalty corner variation involving three Indian players, with Harmanpreet Singh finding a narrow route through Malaysian defenders to score.

Malaysia levelled three minutes later when Shelly Silverius scored a field goal to make it 1-1, but India regained control in the 23rd minute when Jugraj Singh converted from a penalty corner to restore the lead.

The second half saw India extend their advantage when vice-captain Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke in the 42nd minute to make it 3-1, before Shilanand Lakra completed a flowing move in the 54th to push the score to 4-1.

Harmanpreet Singh added his second goal in the 57th minute, again from a penalty corner variation involving three attackers, and India held on to close out the match 5-1.

Malaysia took silver, while Pakistan secured bronze after defeating South Korea 5-3 earlier in the day; Harmanpreet finished with two goals for India and Jugraj Singh, Hardik Singh and Shilanand Lakra scored one apiece.

The Asian Games gold has secured India’s direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, giving the men a clear runway towards the next Olympic cycle.