Indian hockey secures gold and Olympic slot after beating Malaysia

Kakamigahara, October 3 – The Indian men’s hockey team cemented its dominance at the Asian Games 2026 by defeating Malaysia 5‑1 in the championship match played at the Prefectural Green Stadium. The victory handed India the gold medal and ensured automatic qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Head coach Craig Fulton praised the side’s unity and execution. "We arrived with a clear mission – to defend our title – and we fulfilled that mission. The players were disciplined, followed the game plan to the letter, and gave everything for India and their loved ones," he said.

Fulton contrasted the final with the earlier semi‑final against Pakistan, where India had lost a three‑goal cushion before winning 4‑3 thanks to a late goal. "The semi‑final was a pressure cooker, but the final demanded patience. We built more chances, particularly in the third period, and that gave us the edge," he explained.

He also addressed the semi‑final’s ebb and flow, noting that a solid start was undone by a lapse that allowed Pakistan back into contention. "We played the first half strongly; the second half they claimed. Against a team that can punish any slip‑up, we could not afford mistakes. We corrected those errors and denied them any easy scores," Fulton said, ending on a note of pride for the gold‑medal achievement.