India's great victory
New Delhi. The Indian men's hockey team has once again proved its strength by winning the title in the Asian Champions Trophy. This is their sixth win, thereby maintaining their dominance in this competition. In the final, India defeated Japan 4–1, making a spectacular comeback after trailing earlier.
With this win, India has become the most successful team in the history of the Asian Champions Trophy, with six titles now to its name. Pakistan, which is ranked second, has won this trophy only three times. The Indian team had previously won the championship in 2011, 2016, 2018 (joint winners), 2023 and 2024. Japan is still yearning to win this trophy, as it has reached the final for the third time but could not win.
BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONS! INDIA DEFEND THEIR CROWN!
Team India are crowned champions of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 after a commanding 4-1 victory over Japan in the Final! The defending champions deliver when it matters most to retain their title on home soil! Their record-extending 6th ACT title!
#HockeyIsBack #HACT2026 #SatSriAkalAsia #IndiaKaGame
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 5, 2026
fierce competition
Although India won the match 4–1, Japan scored first to take a 1–0 lead. Kazumasa Matsumoto scored in the third minute and Japan maintained the lead until half-time. India made a comeback in the third quarter, when Shilanand Lakra scored in the 42nd minute to make the score 1-1. In the fourth quarter, Indian players performed brilliantly and scored three consecutive goals. Dilpreet Singh scored in the 47th minute, Jugraj Singh in the 52nd minute and Vivek Sagar Prasad scored in the 53rd minute.
title for the second consecutive time
This win is special for the Indian men's hockey team, as it has managed to win a major title for the second consecutive month. Earlier, the Indian team had won the gold medal in the 2026 Asian Games held in Nagoya last month. India won the gold medal by defeating South Korea in the final of the Asian Games. With this win, the Indian team has also secured its place for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.