The Indian men’s hockey team successfully defended its title at the 9th Men’s Asian Champions Trophy, defeating Japan 4-1 in the final at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali, Punjab.
With this victory, India claimed its sixth Men’s Asian Champions Trophy title and completed a remarkable hat-trick of three consecutive championships.
The victory came ahead of Diwali and was celebrated by hockey fans across the country. India’s strong comeback and three-goal performance in the final quarter secured the championship.
The title-winning match also marked the final international appearance of Indian midfielder Nilakanta Sharma, who retired from international hockey after the tournament.
Key Highlights of India’s Victory
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | 9th Men’s Asian Champions Trophy |
| Sport | Field Hockey |
| Champion | India |
| Runner-up | Japan |
| Final Score | India 4–1 Japan |
| Venue | Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium |
| Location | Mohali, Punjab |
| Total Titles Won by India | 6 |
| Consecutive Titles | 3 |
| Bronze Medal Winner | Malaysia |
| Bronze Medal Match | Malaysia 5–2 South Korea |
| Retiring Indian Player | Nilakanta Sharma |
India Makes History with Sixth Asian Champions Trophy Title
India entered the tournament as the defending champion and successfully retained its title after defeating Japan in the final.
The victory marked India’s sixth championship in the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy and its third consecutive title.
India’s continued success in the competition highlights the strength and consistency of the national men’s hockey team.
India vs Japan: Final Match Highlights
The championship match witnessed a closely contested battle between India and Japan.
First Three Quarters: Japan Maintains the Lead
Japan started the match strongly and secured an early lead.
The Japanese defence made it difficult for Indian players to create scoring opportunities, maintaining pressure on the defending champions.
India continued attacking and eventually scored the equaliser towards the end of the third quarter.
Fourth Quarter: India’s Remarkable Comeback
The fourth quarter completely changed the momentum of the match.
India dominated the final period and scored three additional goals, securing a commanding 4-1 victory.
The comeback demonstrated the team’s attacking strength, determination and ability to perform under pressure.
Nilakanta Sharma Retires from International Hockey
The championship victory was a memorable farewell for Indian midfielder Nilakanta Sharma, who played his final international match in the national jersey.
His retirement marked the conclusion of an important chapter in his international hockey career.
Winning the Asian Champions Trophy provided a fitting farewell to the experienced midfielder.
Malaysia Wins Bronze Medal
In the bronze medal playoff, Malaysia defeated South Korea 5-2 to secure third place.
The result completed the medal standings of the tournament.
| Position | Team |
|---|---|
| Gold | India |
| Silver | Japan |
| Bronze | Malaysia |
| Fourth Place | South Korea |
Hockey India Announces Cash Rewards
Following India’s championship victory, Hockey India announced financial rewards for the players and support staff.
- Each player: ₹3 lakh
- Each support staff member: ₹1.5 lakh
The cash rewards recognise the contributions of the players, coaches and support staff to India’s successful title defence.
About the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy
The Men’s Asian Champions Trophy is an international field hockey tournament featuring leading Asian national teams.
The competition is organised under the Asian Hockey Federation and provides an important platform for teams to compete at the continental level.
India’s sixth title further strengthens its record in the tournament.
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