The Indian men's hockey team booked their place in the semi-finals of the Asian Games 2026 with a hard-fought 2-0 win over hosts Japan in their fourth Pool A match at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Saturday amidst rain. Abhishek scored for India in the 15th minute and skipper Harmanpreet Singh in the 40th minute. Despite persistent light rain and a wet pitch, Japan gave India a hard time, but the reigning champions produced the required performance to qualify for the semi-finals with one match remaining. India will play Bangladesh in the final group match on Monday. The match against Japan was also memorable for Indian defender Sanjay, as he played his 100th senior international match. India came close to scoring in the third minute, when an aerial pass reached Abhishek at the top of the circle, but the move was stopped when the ball was played dangerously with the Indian forward in a one-on-one situation in front of Japanese goalkeeper Takashi Yoshikawa. Two minutes later, Manpreet Singh earned a penalty corner for India, but Harmanpreet's flick went to the Indian player. In the sixth minute, another penalty corner was awarded after the ball hit the foot of a Japanese player inside the circle. Harmanpreet's shot hit the rusher's feet, while a Japanese defender near the post made a superb save on the rebound. Japan responded with a powerful counter-attack. In the seventh minute he created consecutive chances, with Seren Tanaka getting another after his initial effort failed, but Indian goalkeeper Suraj Krikera held firm. India kept up the pressure and in the ninth minute Manpreet set up a chance for Dilpreet Singh, but his shot was not with the desired power. Japan looked certain to take the lead in the 10th minute, but the goal was disallowed because an Indian player's foot collided with the ball before it went into the goal. On the other hand, India continued to create opportunities. Shilanand Lakra made a brilliant run through the middle to give the ball to Abhishek, but his attempt to give Sukhjit Singh a chance failed. India finally broke the deadlock in the 15th minute. The Japanese defense gave Abhishek plenty of time at the top of the circle and the forward made no mistake. He eluded the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into the net to give India a 1-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. After play resumed, Japan piled on the pressure and earned a penalty corner in the 17th minute, but Ryoma Oka's powerful shot was blocked by the Indian player's stick. India came close to doubling their lead when Germans Preet Singh, Rajinder Singh and Sukhjeet combined to strike, but Rajinder's pass went unchallenged in front of the goal. On the other hand, Mohit HS made a brilliant save to prevent Japan from equalizing. India got another penalty corner in the 21st minute, but Jigraj Singh's ground shot was not effective and Japan cleared it. The hosts then tightened their defence, making it difficult for India to create more chances before half-time. India led 1-0 at the end of the first half. In the third quarter, Japan relied on quick counter-attacks while defending deep. In the 36th minute, a fine move in the Indian circle earned the hosts a penalty corner. Shota Yamada's first attempt was unsuccessful, but Japan successfully challenged the decision via video referral on the basis that the ball had hit the foot of an Indian player. The ensuing penalty corner was brilliantly saved by Kirkera. India got their second in the 40th minute. On his sixth penalty corner, Harmanpreet flicked a powerful flick into the left corner of the Japanese goal, which the goalkeeper had no chance at and India went 2-0 up. In the 43rd minute, India got another penalty corner, but Harmanpreet could not beat the goalkeeper. In the last quarter, Japan continued to fight hard, while India showed composure. Jigraj's penalty corner shot in the 46th minute was powerful, but went straight to the goalkeeper. Between the 54th and 55th minutes, India had three more chances from penalty corners, but could not convert them. Japan had one last chance in the 58th minute, when Manabu Yamashita found space after not keeping the ball properly at the top of the circle, but his shot went wide. India held on to a 2-0 lead in the final minutes. The hockey tournament will also serve as a qualifier for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, with the gold medal winning team gaining direct entry to the upcoming Summer Games. India is the current champion, having won the title in Hangzhou 2023.
