New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Defending champions India began their Asian Games 2026 men’s hockey campaign in dominant fashion, defeating Indonesia 13-1 in their Pool A opener in Kakamigahara, Japan, on Sunday.
Dilpreet Singh was the star of the contest, scoring four goals as India produced a commanding attacking display. Shilanand Lakra and Sukhjeet Singh also scored twice each, while Abhishek, Rajinder Singh, Mandeep Singh, Harmanpreet Singh and Jugraj Singh found the net once.
How India Beat Indonesia 13-1
India started quickly, with Shilanand Lakra opening the scoring in the sixth minute after Harmanpreet Singh’s drag-flick was saved by Indonesia goalkeeper Alam Fajar.
Abhishek doubled India’s advantage in the 12th minute before Dilpreet Singh took over. The forward scored twice in quick succession in the 18th and 19th minutes.
Rajinder Singh added another goal in the 19th minute, while Mandeep Singh made it 6-0 in the 21st minute. Captain Harmanpreet Singh then converted a penalty corner in the 28th minute as India went into half-time with a 7-0 lead.
Indonesia managed to pull one goal back through Aulia Al Ardh in the 33rd minute.
India responded immediately. Shilanand scored his second goal in the 35th minute, before Dilpreet completed his hat-trick in the 37th minute.
Sukhjeet Singh then joined the scoring in the 38th minute to give India a 10-1 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Jugraj Singh converted a penalty corner in the 47th minute, while Sukhjeet scored again a minute later. Dilpreet completed his four-goal haul in the 49th minute to make it 13-1.
Dilpreet Singh Scores Four Goals
Dilpreet scored all four of his goals from open play, finding the net in the 18th, 19th, 37th and 49th minutes.
His performance made him the standout scorer of India’s opening match, while the team had eight different players on the scoresheet.
The result also marks a strong beginning to India’s defence of the Asian Games men’s hockey title. India won gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and are competing in Pool A alongside Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Korea, Japan and Bangladesh.
When Is India’s Next Hockey Match?
India will face Sri Lanka in their second Pool A match on September 22 at 3:30 PM IST. They will then play Korea on September 24, Japan on September 26 and Bangladesh on September 28.
A gold medal in the men’s hockey tournament will also carry an Olympic qualification incentive, with the Asian Games winner earning a direct berth at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
