New Delhi, September 8 (Daily Kiran) : The Indian men’s hockey team has officially departed for Japan to compete in the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya. Under the leadership of captain Harmanpreet Singh, the team aims to defend their continental title.
This departure comes on the heels of a disappointing eighth-place finish at the recent FIH Hockey World Cup held in the Netherlands and Belgium. The team is now focused on turning that setback into motivation for the upcoming tournament. Winning the gold medal at the Asian Games would secure direct qualification for the LA 2028 Olympic Games, making this competition crucial for India.
Although the Indian team showcased their skills during the World Cup, they struggled to maintain consistent performance during critical moments. They are determined to learn from those experiences and deliver a more composed display in Japan.
Over the past decade, India has established itself as a formidable force in Asian hockey, having won gold medals at both the 2023 Asian Games and the Asia Cup. As the defending champions, they are eager to maintain their dominance and secure their Olympic berth by clinching the gold medal once again.
Head coach Craig Fulton emphasizes the importance of focusing on executing their game plan rather than fixating on the end result. The team has been placed in Pool A alongside host nation Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. India will kick off their campaign against Indonesia on September 20 and conclude pool play against Bangladesh on September 28.
The knockout stage is set to commence with the semifinals on October 1, followed by the final on October 3. With Olympic qualification at stake, the Indian team is determined to return home with the gold medal for the second consecutive Asian Games.
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