India beat Japan 4-1 in Asian Champions Trophy 2026 match in Jalandhar
India scored three goals in the final quarter to secure a dramatic win over Japan.
India defeated Japan 4-1 in Match 9 of the Hero Men's Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 at Jalandhar on 30 October 2026. Abhishek Nain scored twice, while Harmanpreet Singh and Vishnukant Singh added the other goals as India moved to top of the pool.
Key takeaways
- India defeated Japan 4-1 in Match 9 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, Jalandhar, on 30 October 2026.
- Abhishek Nain scored a brace; Harmanpreet Singh and Vishnukant Singh scored one each.
- India scored three goals in the final quarter after the match was level at 1-1.
- India moved to top of the pool stage; Japan suffered its first defeat of the tournament.
- India won all three of its preliminary matches, having earlier beaten Bangladesh and China.
India defeated Japan 4-1 in Match 9 of the Hero Men's Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar on 30 October 2026. India scored three goals in the final 15 minutes to seal a dramatic win after the match was level at 1-1 heading into the fourth quarter.
India took the lead in the 11th minute when Abhishek Nain finished off a pass from Sukhjeet Singh. Japan equalised four minutes later through a penalty stroke by Shota Yamada after a goalbound shot bounced off Sanjay's shoulder. India had not earned a penalty corner until late in the third quarter, while Japan had four penalty corners and six circle entries in the first half.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh broke the deadlock in the 47th minute by converting India's first penalty corner. Abhishek Nain scored his second goal of the game in the 51st minute after Sanjay drove in from the left and found him in the circle. Vishnukant Singh added India's fourth goal in the 56th minute with a driving run into the circle.
India Today reported that Abhishek Nain was playing his 150th game for India. Sportstar noted that Japan was ranked eight places below India in the world rankings and had stretched the defending champion to the limit for the first 45 minutes. India had won its previous two pool matches against Bangladesh and China.
The result gave India three wins from three matches in the preliminary round and saw the hosts retake top spot in the pool stage. Japan suffered its first defeat of the tournament. Sportstar reported that Korea overturned China to register its first win, while Malaysia thrashed Bangladesh 6-1 to remain the other unbeaten side in the competition.
India Today said all teams would take a rest day before returning to Jalandhar on 1 November, Sunday.
India vs Japan goal scorers and match facts
Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
Winner | India |
Score | 4-1 |
Venue | Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, Jalandhar |
Date | 30 October 2026 |
India scorers | Abhishek Nain (2), Harmanpreet Singh, Vishnukant Singh |
Japan scorer | Shota Yamada |
Related on Apex Sports News
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Asian Champions Trophy 2026: India beat China 5-2 as Harmanpreet and Sukhjeet score braces
Asian Champions Trophy: South Korea, Japan Secure Semifinal Berths
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