India Beat Japan 4-1 in Mohali to Win Record Sixth Asian Champions Trophy

Key points

1. India defeated Japan 4-1 in the men's Asian Champions Trophy 2026 final at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali on November 5.
2. Japan took the lead in the third minute through Kazumasa Matsumoto, who scored a field goal.
3. Shilanand Lakra equalised for India in the 42nd minute from a penalty-corner rebound.
4. Dilpreet Singh put India ahead in the 48th minute, before Jugraj Singh converted a penalty corner in the 53rd minute.
5. Vivek Sagar Prasad scored India's fourth goal in the 54th minute to complete the 4-1 victory.
6. The win gave India a record-extending sixth Asian Champions Trophy title and a third consecutive crown after their 2023 and 2024 victories.
7. India completed the tournament unbeaten and had also beaten Japan 4-1 in the round-robin stage.

India produced a strong second-half comeback to beat Japan 4-1 in the men's Asian Champions Trophy 2026 final in Mohali on Thursday, November 5, and secure a record-extending sixth title. Japan had taken an early lead, but four goals after the break helped the defending champions complete an unbeaten campaign and claim their third consecutive crown.

Kazumasa Matsumoto put Japan ahead in the third minute. India responded through Shilanand Lakra, Dilpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad, with all four goals arriving in the second half at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium.

Japan strike first, India face a test

Japan stunned the home crowd by taking the lead in the third minute through Matsumoto, who found the net with a field goal. The early breakthrough gave Japan a platform to defend deep and challenge India's rhythm, while the hosts had to work for openings against an organised opponent.

India pressed for an equaliser and earned penalty-corner opportunities, but Japan remained in front through the first half. The visitors' defensive work kept the defending champions from turning their pressure into a goal before the interval.

The final was a rematch of the league-stage meeting in Jalandhar, where India had also beaten Japan 4-1. Japan had reached the title match after a goalless semi-final against Malaysia was decided by a 5-3 shootout win, while India entered the final after defeating South Korea 8-1.

Lakra brings India level

India's breakthrough came in the 42nd minute. After earning successive penalty corners, the hosts found the equaliser through Shilanand Lakra, who converted a rebound from the set piece. The goal shifted the momentum and gave India a foothold in a final that had been tightly contested for much of its first three quarters.

The equaliser also underlined India's ability to keep building pressure even after Japan had frustrated their early attacks. Lakra's finish brought the teams level and set up a decisive final quarter.

Dilpreet, Jugraj and Vivek complete the comeback

India moved in front in the 48th minute when Dilpreet Singh scored from open play. Hardik Singh helped create the opportunity with a forward move into the circle, and Dilpreet finished to give the hosts a 2-1 advantage.

Jugraj Singh extended the lead in the 53rd minute by converting a penalty corner. The goal gave India breathing room and increased the pressure on Japan, who now needed to find a way back into the match in the closing stages.

Vivek Sagar Prasad added India's fourth goal in the 54th minute, finishing after an initial effort from Lakra had been saved. The quick sequence of goals turned a narrow contest into a convincing scoreline and confirmed India's title-winning performance.

Sixth title completes an unbeaten campaign

The victory took India to six Asian Champions Trophy titles, extending their record as the competition's most successful team. Their previous championships came in 2011, 2016, 2018, 2023 and 2024. The 2026 triumph also marked a third consecutive title after the team won the previous two editions.

India had been unbeaten throughout the tournament. They won all five league matches, then defeated South Korea 8-1 in the semi-final before overcoming Japan in the final. The result also repeated the 4-1 margin from the teams' earlier meeting in the round-robin phase.

The final carried a personal milestone for vice-captain Hardik Singh, who made his 200th international appearance, according to PTI reporting carried by DT Next. His contribution in midfield was part of a team performance that grew stronger as the match progressed.

For Japan, the early goal and disciplined first-half display showed their ability to trouble the champions, but they could not contain India's attacking pressure after the interval. For India, the comeback in front of the home crowd delivered another continental title and reinforced their position as the Asian Champions Trophy's most successful side.