Forty-four years after winning the Asian Games gold medal in 1982, the Indian women’s hockey team is preparing to contest another historic final. On October 2, India will challenge defending champions China in the women’s hockey gold-medal match at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026. The winner will not only claim continental supremacy but also secure qualification for the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
Since their landmark victory in 1982, India has twice reached the Asian Games final—finishing with silver medals in 1998 and 2018 after losses to South Korea and Japan respectively. Now, a new generation has the opportunity to reclaim the top position for India at this prestigious event, according to a Hockey India press release.
The team’s confidence is bolstered by a strong 2026 campaign. India won the FIH Nations Cup earlier this year and achieved their best World Cup finish in 52 years, securing fifth place at the 2026 FIH World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands. During that tournament, India held world No. 4 China to a goalless draw in Amsterdam, providing valuable insight ahead of their Asian Games final encounter.
Both India and China remain unbeaten at the Asian Games, topping their respective pools before enduring challenging semi-finals. China was held scoreless by hosts Japan over 60 minutes and prevailed 4–2 in the shootout to reach the final. India overcame a resilient South Korea side, with Ishika breaking the deadlock late in the third quarter and captain Salima Tete adding a second goal in the fourth quarter.
India’s chief coach, Sjoerd Marijne, reflected on the semi-final victory, stating, “For us it was really important to stay calm and have patience, and I think we did that really well.” Speaking about the upcoming final against China, he said, “We have confidence, but we also realize that China is a very good team. They are still number four in the world. We did really well at the World Cup, better than them, but still they have a lot of experience… Some things we can improve (from the semi-final performance) and that’s how we approach the final against China.”
India’s campaign has combined defensive resilience with attacking variety. Goalkeepers Savita and Bichu Devi have been a strong last line of defence. Offensively, Deepika has been the standout scorer, leading the tournament with 21 goals in six matches, including 19 from penalty corners. Navneet has contributed 10 goals, seven from field play. China’s attacking threats include Zhong Jiaqi with nine goals, and Chen Yi and Zhang Ying with seven each.
The final represents a high-stakes contest, with the Asian Games gold medal guaranteeing Olympic qualification. The outcome may hinge on which team can better manage the occasion, handle pressure, and execute during critical moments. After a 44-year wait, India is one victory away from creating history once more.