Defending champions India continued their impressive campaign at the Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, defeating Japan 4-1 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar on Friday to register their third consecutive victory and secure a place in the semi-finals.
Abhishek starred with a brace in his 150th international appearance, while captain Harmanpreet Singh and Vishnu Kant Singh also got on the scoresheet to power India to a convincing win. Japan’s lone goal came through Shota Yamada, who converted a penalty stroke in the 15th minute.
The victory also saw Abhishek earn the Player of the Match award, making his landmark 150th international appearance even more memorable.
Japan started aggressively, applying an early high press and earning a penalty corner in the second minute. However, India gradually settled into the contest and broke the deadlock in the 11th minute. Vivek Sagar Prasad initiated the move, finding Sukhjeet Singh on the left side of the circle. Sukhjeet produced a sharp turn before cutting the ball back for Abhishek to finish.
Japan responded in the closing stages of the first quarter. After their penalty-corner attempt was initially saved, the visitors were awarded a penalty stroke following a goal-line incident involving Sanjay. Yamada converted to level the score at 1-1.
The second quarter saw Japan enjoy greater possession, with their compact defensive structure making it difficult for India to penetrate. Goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak made an important intervention to deny a Japanese attack, while India’s efforts to regain the lead through Angad Bir Singh and Abhishek went unrewarded. Both teams headed into the half-time break level.
India returned with greater attacking intent in the third quarter, retaining possession and creating opportunities. Japan also threatened through penalty corners, but India’s defensive unit held firm.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 47th minute when Harmanpreet Singh unleashed a powerful drag-flick from India’s first penalty corner of the match to put the hosts ahead. It was his fifth goal of the tournament, with all five coming from penalty corners.
India strengthened their advantage in the 51st minute through another well-coordinated attacking move. Dilpreet Singh found Sanjay on the left, and the defender delivered a precise cut-back for Abhishek to score his second goal of the evening.
Vishnu Kant Singh produced one of the standout moments of the match in the 56th minute. Controlling Harmanpreet’s diagonal aerial pass outside the circle, he showcased excellent individual skill before driving forward and flicking the ball past the Japanese goalkeeper to complete India’s 4-1 victory.
Speaking after receiving the Player of the Match award, Abhishek said India had focused on increasing pressure and controlling the game in the final quarter.
“Our strategy in the last quarter was to control the game and press higher. That is how we got the goals. At half-time, coach Craig Fulton told us to create pressure on Japan,” he said, also highlighting Harmanpreet’s successful penalty-corner conversion.
Elsewhere, Malaysia continued their winning run with a 6-1 victory over Bangladesh, while South Korea edged China 2-1.
India currently lead the standings with nine points from three matches and an impressive goal difference of +19. Malaysia are second with an identical nine points but a goal difference of +8. Japan occupy third place with six points, followed by South Korea with three. China and Bangladesh remain without a point after three consecutive defeats.
India will next face Malaysia on Sunday, November 1, at 7 PM IST in Jalandhar, in what promises to be an important contest ahead of the knockout stage.
Image : Hockey India
