Published: October 31, 2026 at 9:42 am
Abhishek struck a brace to help India book their semifinal berth by defeating Japan 4-1 in the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar on Friday.
In the other match on Friday, the Republic of Korea beat China 2-1.
Abhishek (11′, 51′), playing his 150th international match, scored twice while captain Harmanpreet Singh (47′) and Vishnu Kant Singh (56′) were also on target for the five-time champions. Shota Yamada (15′) scored Japan’s only goal from a penalty stroke.
It was India’s third successive victory at the tournament following wins over Bangladesh and the People’s Republic of China. India, who began their title defence with a 13-0 victory over Bangladesh before beating China 5-2, have nine points from three matches and remain unbeaten.
Harmanpreet and Sukhjeet score a brace each to help India down China 5-2 in Hero ACT
The defending champions will next face Malaysia on Sunday. India had beaten Malaysia 5-1 in the men’s hockey final at the Asian Games 2026 earlier this month.
Japan made the brighter start on Friday and earned a penalty corner as early as the second minute, but their variation did not produce a goal. India gradually grew into the contest and took the lead in the 11th minute. Vivek Sagar Prasad played the ball to Sukhjeet Singh on the left of the circle, who turned sharply and cut it back for Abhishek to finish.
Japan responded strongly and earned a penalty corner in the closing stages of the opening quarter. After the initial attempt was saved, a penalty stroke was awarded when the ball struck Sanjay’s forearm on the goal line. Yamada converted from the spot in the 15th minute to make it 1-1.
Japan maintained their intensity in the second quarter and their compact defence continued to restrict India’s space. India created an opening through Angad Bir Singh in the 24th minute, but his backhand effort did not trouble the Japanese goalkeeper as the teams went into half-time level.
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India looked sharper after the restart and began enjoying longer spells of possession. Sukhjeet fired high and wide in the 32nd minute before Japan failed to convert a penalty corner four minutes later.
Shilanand Lakra also went close for India, but his tomahawk effort was kept out by the Japanese goalkeeper as the score remained 1-1 at the end of the third quarter.
Abhishek strikes again
India finally broke through early in the fourth quarter after earning their first penalty corner of the match. Harmanpreet converted with a powerful drag-flick in the 47th minute to restore India’s lead. It was the Indian captain’s fifth goal of the tournament, all from penalty corners.
Abhishek then made it 3-1 in the 51st minute, completing his brace. Dilpreet Singh played the ball to Sanjay on the left, who cut it back for Abhishek to score.
Vishnu Kant put the result beyond doubt in the 56th minute with a superb individual effort. He brought down Harmanpreet’s diagonal aerial pass outside the circle before driving forward and flicking the ball past the goalkeeper.
India controlled the closing stages to seal the 4-1 victory and their place in the semifinals. The hosts remain top of the standings with nine points and a goal difference of +19. Malaysia also have nine points after beating Bangladesh 6-1 earlier on Friday but are second with a goal difference of +8.
Japan are third with six points, followed by the Republic of Korea with three. China and Bangladesh are yet to register a point after three matches. India are chasing a record-extending sixth Asian Champions Trophy hockey title.
