Asian Champions Trophy 2026: India beat China 5-2 as Harmanpreet and Sukhjeet score braces
India secured their second consecutive win in the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 campaign in Jalandhar.
India defeated China 5-2 in the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 in Jalandhar on Thursday. Captain Harmanpreet Singh and forward Sukhjeet Singh scored two goals each.
Key takeaways
- India beat China 5-2 in the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 in Jalandhar on Thursday.
- Harmanpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh scored braces for India.
- Sukhjeet opened the scoring in the 12th minute before Yang Peng levelled for China in the 26th minute.
- Harmanpreet restored India's lead from a penalty corner before Sukhjeet added his second to make it 4-1 early in the third quarter.
- Chen Chongcong pulled one back for China before Jugraj Singh scored from a penalty corner late in the final quarter.
India secured a comfortable 5-2 victory over China in the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 in Jalandhar on Thursday, registering their second consecutive win in the campaign. Captain Harmanpreet Singh and forward Sukhjeet Singh scored two goals each, while Jugraj Singh added the fifth.
Sukhjeet opened the scoring in the 12th minute after bringing down a long aerial pass from Jugraj Singh from India's 25-yard line inside the China circle and hitting it over advancing goalkeeper Huanyu Wu.
China levelled through Yang Peng's penalty corner conversion in the 26th minute, but Harmanpreet restored India's lead from a penalty corner after Mandeep Singh was checked on a counterattack. India went into the break with a 2-1 advantage.
India dominates after the break
The third quarter began with sustained momentum for India. Harmanpreet doubled his tally from a penalty corner in the 31st minute, and Sukhjeet added his second goal a couple of minutes later to make it 4-1.
China pulled a goal back through Chen Chongcong's penalty corner in the 36th minute, making it 4-2. Jugraj Singh then struck from a penalty corner late in the final quarter to seal a 5-2 win for India.
Tactical adjustments and context
India coach Craig Fulton had admitted before the match that the Chinese team was unknown and difficult to plan against. China packed the midfield, denied India space on the ground, and forced India to play in the air before defending deep.
India adapted by relying on experience to find ways into the Chinese circle and keep them at bay. Fulton was happy with India's pace, the effective use of aerials, and the midfield's ability to rotate and stretch the opposition thin.
About the tournament
The 2026 Men's Asian Champions Trophy is the ninth edition of the international field hockey tournament organized by the Asian Hockey Federation. It is being held from 27 October to 5 November 2026 across two cities in Punjab, India.
The competition features Asia's six top field hockey teams competing in a round robin format. India is the most successful team in the tournament history, having won the trophy five times, while Pakistan has won it three times.
India goal scorers and times
Player | Goal details | Minute |
|---|---|---|
Sukhjeet Singh | Open play goal | 12th |
Harmanpreet Singh | Penalty corner | 31st |
Sukhjeet Singh | Open play goal | A couple of minutes after Harmanpreet's 31st-minute penalty corner |
Jugraj Singh | Penalty corner | Final quarter |
Related on Apex Sports News
Harmanpreet Singh: India defence priority ahead of Asian Champions Trophy
India hockey Asian Champions Trophy: India beat Bangladesh 13-0 in Jalandhar
India hockey news: Asian Champions Trophy begins in Jalandhar and Mohali
Sources
Topics
Spotted an error? Read our corrections policy or use the flag button above. Our editorial standards explain how we report.
Related stories
Video
Discussion
Sign in or create a free account to join the discussion. Please follow our community guidelines.