India beats Japan 5-1 to win Gold at Asian Games 2023
This is India's Fourth Asian Games Gold in the Asian Games - the last three Gold Medals were won in 1966, 1998 and 2014.
India had to be content with the Bronze medal at the Jakarta Asian Games.
The high stakes final of the Asian games 2023 Men's Hockey Final at Hangzhou ended in sweet victory for the Indian Blues. India beat Japan 5-1 to win Gold at the Asian Games today evening.
With this victory, India seals its place in the Paris Olympics 2024. The Indian team in scintillating form is led by Captain Harmanpreet Singh. India topped its pool with all wins from its five games and the win in the final makes India an unbeaten team at the Asian Games this year.
The India team scored its first goal with a field effort in the 25th minute and followed it up with a penalty corner goal in the 32nd and again a field goal in the 36th minute. India scored three more goals in the second half of the match, with a field goal in the 48th minute, a successful penalty corner in the 59th minute and a field goal in the 60th minute. Japan got its face saving sole goal in the 51st minute courtesy a penalty corner.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored two goals and Abhishek, Rohidas and Manpreet Singh scored a goal each as India wrapped up a successful golden Asian Games Hockey campaign with victories in all its six matches.