Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Asian Champions Trophy 2026 in Punjab has entered its final league phase, with India and Malaysia becoming the first two teams to qualify for the semi-finals after winning all three of their opening matches.
With two league fixtures remaining for each side, India lead the points table on goal difference, while Malaysia occupy second place. Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh is also leading the tournament’s goal-scoring chart with five goals.
The tournament, being hosted in Punjab for the first time, resumed its schedule after a rest day on Saturday. The remaining league matches are scheduled for November 1 and 2.
Asian Champions Trophy 2026: Points Table and Semi-Final Qualification
Japan are currently third with two wins, while South Korea sit fourth with one victory. China and Bangladesh have yet to register a win.
The top four teams at the end of the league stage will advance to the semi-finals. The fifth- and sixth-placed teams will compete for the fifth-place finish.
India have scored 22 goals and conceded three in their three matches. Malaysia have scored 14 and conceded six. Japan have scored five and conceded six, while South Korea have scored five and conceded seven.
China have scored seven goals and conceded 12, while Bangladesh have scored once and conceded 20.
Asian Champions Trophy 2026: Remaining League Fixtures
The final two rounds of league matches will be played on November 1 and 2, with three fixtures scheduled each day.
November 1
- South Korea vs Bangladesh – 2:30 PM
- China vs Japan – 4:45 PM
- India vs Malaysia – 7:00 PM
November 2
- China vs Bangladesh – 2:30 PM
- Malaysia vs Japan – 4:45 PM
- India vs South Korea – 7:00 PM
All league matches are being played at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar. The knockout-stage matches will take place at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Stadium in Mohali on November 4 and 5.
Harmanpreet Singh Leads Asian Champions Trophy Goal Scorers
India captain Harmanpreet Singh tops the individual scoring chart with five goals from three matches. Malaysia’s Abu Kamal Azrai follows with four.
India’s Mandeep Singh and Abhishek, along with Malaysia’s Akhimullah and Azimuddin, have scored three goals each.
Mandeep Singh has registered the tournament’s only hat-trick so far, scoring three times in India’s opening match against Bangladesh.
Hardik Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Jugraj Singh and Dilpreet Singh of India; Chongcong Chen and Benhai Chen of China; and Malaysia’s Faizal Saari have scored two goals apiece.
Overall, 32 players have found the net in the tournament so far.
54 Goals Scored in Nine Matches
Nine matches have been played in the competition, producing 54 goals at an average of six per match. The tally includes 28 field goals, 23 goals from penalty corners and three penalty-stroke conversions.
No match has ended in a draw so far. India and Japan have each kept one clean sheet, both against Bangladesh.
The tournament is being held in Punjab for the first time, bringing an international Asian hockey competition to the state and giving Indian players an opportunity to compete on home soil.
