The Indian men’s hockey team successfully defended its Asian Games gold medal for the first time, defeating Malaysia 5-1 in the final. With this victory, the Indian team also secured a spot at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Harmanpreet Singh (11′), Jugraj Singh (23′), and Hardik Singh (42′) scored the goals in the final match. Two goals came from penalty corners and one from a penalty stroke; the Indian team earned multiple penalty corners during the game.

The Malaysian team attempted to launch counter-attacks and move forward rapidly. The first quarter was a fiercely contested affair, with Malaysia attacking at great pace, and the score stood level at 1-1. However, the Indian team picked up the pace from the second quarter onwards and finished the match with five goals.

Earlier on Friday, the Indian women’s hockey team had made history by winning the gold medal at the Asian Games after 44 years, defeating China 1-0 in the final.