Indonesia wins 39 Asian Games medals, including five golds

India's men's hockey team emerged victorious in the 2026 Asian Games final, defeating Malaysia 5-1 in a thrilling contest at Nagoya, Japan. Led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, India solidified its title defense and secured direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The match began with India taking an early lead when Harmanpreet scored a powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner.

Malaysia equalized shortly after through Shello Silverius's brilliant half-volley, making the score 1-1. India's attacking prowess shone in the subsequent quarters, exploiting defensives lapses and creating numerous scoring opportunities. Hardik Singh extended India's lead to 3-1 in the third quarter, putting the team in a commanding position.

The Indian players maintained relentless pressure, leaving little room for Malaysia to mount a comeback. With under a minute left on the clock, Abhishek and Sukhjeet Singh added two more goals in quick succession, extending India's lead to 5-1 and sealing a memorable win at the Asian Games. This triumph marked another significant achievement for Indian hockey, as the team successfully retained its Asian Games title and earned its spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The success of both the men's and women's teams highlighted India's strong standing in Asian hockey and provided ample reason for celebration at the continental level.