Indian men’s hockey team dished out a clinical performance to reclaim the Asian Games gold medal after a nine-year wait as they thumped Japan 5-1 in the final in Hangzhou on Friday, October 6.
India sealed their place in next year’s Paris Olympics courtesy of the win, claiming their fourth Asiad gold after 1966, 1998 and 2014.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh scored twice in the final, converting two penalty corners after Manpreet Singh had given India the lead with a bullet reverse strike in the second quarter. India led 2-0 at half-time, and Amit Rohidas converted another penalty corner to triple India’s lead.
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Abhishek scored a field goal to make it 4-0 after Seren Tanaka pulled one back for his side from a penalty corner. Right before the full-time hooter was blown, the captain scored another one with a last-ditch penalty corner.
It was a dominant show from the Indian hockey team who have been completely revitalised under Craig Fulton. After last year’s historic bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics, India suffered a major disappointment in the hockey World Cup, but the Asian Champions Trophy win in Chennai earlier this year, and the Asian Games gold prove that the number 3 ranked side in the world are on a positive upward curve.
In total India scored 73 goals at the Asian Games, they scored 68 before the final, adding five in the summit clash.
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Shortly after the historic gold rush, Hockey India announced a prize of Rs 5 Lakh for every player and a prize of Rs 2.5 lakh for each of the support staff who helped the Indian hockey team win the elusive gold at Hangzhou.
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The only slight concern for India would be the injury to Mandeep Singh, who hobbled off the field, clutching his hamstring.
The Indian women’s hockey team were beaten by China in their respective semifinal match, which will see them face Japan in the bronze medal match on Saturday.
first published: October 06, 2023, 18:18 IST
