India defeated China 5-2 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar on Thursday, October 29, to register a second successive victory in the 2026 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy. Captain Harmanpreet Singh and forward Sukhjeet Singh scored two goals each, while Jugraj Singh added another as the hosts negotiated a more competitive test after their 13-0 opening win over Bangladesh.
China made India work for the result and briefly drew level in the second quarter. But Harmanpreet responded almost immediately, and India created a cushion through further goals from the captain and Sukhjeet before Jugraj completed the scoring in the final quarter.
Sukhjeet gives India an early breakthrough
India opened the scoring in the 12th minute through Sukhjeet. The forward controlled a difficult ball in the attacking area, showed close stickwork and lifted it over the advancing Chinese goalkeeper. The finish gave the home side a 1-0 lead and underlined the individual quality that helped India unlock a disciplined Chinese defence.
China remained in the contest and found an equaliser through Peng Yang, who converted a penalty corner in the 26th minute. The response made it 1-1 and briefly put pressure on the Indian side, which had enjoyed a one-sided opening match against Bangladesh two days earlier.
India’s answer came quickly. Harmanpreet converted a penalty corner in the 27th minute to restore the lead, giving the hosts a 2-1 advantage. The timing was important: China had just earned a foothold in the match, but the Indian captain ensured the teams did not remain level for long.
Harmanpreet and Sukhjeet extend the lead
Harmanpreet struck again from a penalty corner in the 31st minute, taking India to 3-1. The second conversion gave the hosts a two-goal margin and highlighted the value of their set-piece execution. The captain’s pair of goals also made him one of the match’s leading contributors alongside Sukhjeet.
Sukhjeet added his second field goal in the 34th minute to make it 4-1. India had now turned a narrow advantage into a three-goal lead through a combination of open-play finishing and penalty-corner accuracy.
China did not stop attacking. Chongcong Chen converted a penalty corner in the 36th minute to reduce the deficit to 4-2. Both Chinese goals came from set pieces, showing that the visitors could threaten India even while trailing. The goal also meant India had to stay organised rather than simply rely on its attacking lead.
Jugraj seals the second consecutive win
India’s fifth goal arrived in the 47th minute, when Jugraj Singh scored from a penalty corner. The conversion restored a three-goal gap at 5-2 and gave the hosts a firmer hold on the closing stages. The final score reflected India’s ability to respond to China’s challenge and make its own set-piece opportunities count.
The goal distribution was notable: Sukhjeet supplied two field goals, while Harmanpreet and Jugraj combined for three penalty-corner conversions. China’s two goals, by Peng and Chen, also came from penalty corners. The contest therefore featured five set-piece goals across the two teams, with India more effective in converting its chances.
India build momentum after Bangladesh rout
The win followed India’s 13-0 victory over Bangladesh in the tournament opener on October 27. Two wins from two matches gave the hosts a strong start to the league phase of the competition. The China fixture, however, offered a different kind of examination: India had to respond after conceding an equaliser and then manage a contest in which the visitors continued to find opportunities.
India coach Craig Fulton has emphasised the importance of consistency across all four quarters. After the China match, he identified consistency throughout the game as a positive takeaway and noted the team’s strength in penalty-corner execution. His comments point to an area that will remain important as the tournament progresses: converting attacking pressure while maintaining defensive concentration.
The 2026 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy is being staged in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5. India are the defending champions and are seeking another title on home ground. The next listed fixture for the hosts is against Japan in Jalandhar on October 30 at 7 pm IST, giving the team a quick turnaround after the China match.
What the result means for the campaign
India’s 5-2 win keeps its early campaign on course, but the match also offered useful evidence of the areas the team must keep sharpening. The hosts scored five times and made their penalty corners count, while China demonstrated that well-worked set pieces can still create problems. The balance between attacking output and defensive control will be tested again as the league schedule continues.
For supporters in Punjab, the two home victories have provided an encouraging start to the tournament. The next challenge against Japan will offer another measure of India’s consistency against a side that also began its campaign with a win. SportsLine will follow the team’s progress through the remaining league fixtures and the race for the semi-finals.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score when India played China in the Asian Champions Trophy?
India defeated China 5-2 in their Men’s Asian Champions Trophy match at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar on October 29, 2026. The victory gave India a second successive win after its 13-0 result against Bangladesh in the opening match.
Who scored for India against China?
Sukhjeet Singh and captain Harmanpreet Singh scored two goals each for India. Sukhjeet found the net from open play in the 12th and 34th minutes, while Harmanpreet converted penalty corners in the 27th and 31st minutes. Jugraj Singh added India’s fifth goal in the 47th minute.
Who scored China's goals against India?
Peng Yang scored China’s first goal from a penalty corner in the 26th minute, shortly before Harmanpreet restored India’s lead. Chongcong Chen converted another set piece in the 36th minute, leaving China with two goals in the 5-2 defeat.
Where was the India-China Asian Champions Trophy match played?
The match was played at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, Punjab, on October 29, 2026. India were playing at home in the 2026 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy, which is being hosted in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5.
Who is India's next opponent in the Asian Champions Trophy?
India’s next listed opponent after the China match is Japan. Hockey India’s match schedule lists the fixture for October 30, 2026, at 7 pm IST in Jalandhar. The match follows India’s opening wins against Bangladesh and China in the league stage.