India thrash Malaysia 5-1 to win back-to-back Asian Games hockey gold and a ticket to LA 2028
Harmanpreet Singh's side went through the tournament unbeaten. The women's team also won gold, beating China 1-0, so both sides are now qualified for the 2028 Olympics.
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India’s men’s hockey team beat Malaysia 5-1 in the Asian Games final in Kakamigahara, Japan, on Saturday. They won gold and qualified directly for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
It is India’s fifth Asian Games men’s hockey title, after 1966, 1998, 2014 and 2022. It is also the first time the team has won the title at two Games in a row.
Unbeaten all the way
Captained by Harmanpreet Singh, India won all five of their Pool A matches, including a 13-1 win over Indonesia, before coming through the knockout rounds.
Why the Olympic spot matters
Winning the Asian Games is the quickest route to the Olympics for Asian hockey teams. The gold means India will not have to play an FIH Olympic qualifying tournament. Instead, the team can plan the next two years around the Pro League and preparation for Los Angeles.
Double gold for Indian hockey
The women’s team completed a double by beating China 1-0 in their final, and they also earned a direct place at LA 2028. China are among Asia’s strongest women’s sides and have regularly stood between India and major titles, which makes this result especially valuable for the women’s programme.
The two hockey golds were among the 21 that India won at the Games.
Sources: Business Today, India Sports Hub, Wikipedia: India at the 2026 Asian Games.
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