India beat Japan 4-1 to reach Asian Champions Trophy semi-finals

India beat Japan 4-1 at the Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy in Jalandhar on Friday, 30 October, to make it three wins from three matches and book a place in the semi-finals.

Abhishek scored twice, in the 11th and 51st minutes, on the night he played his 150th match for India, and was named Player of the Match. Captain Harmanpreet Singh put India back in front with a penalty-corner goal in the 47th minute, his fifth goal of the tournament, and Vishnu Kant Singh added a solo fourth in the 56th minute. Shota Yamada had briefly levelled for Japan from a penalty stroke in the 15th minute.

The defending champions had opened their campaign with a 13-0 win over Bangladesh and a 5-2 win over China. With nine points from three matches, India sit top of the table with a goal difference of plus 19, ahead of Malaysia, who also have nine points after beating Bangladesh 6-1 on Friday.

Why it matters

India are chasing a record-extending sixth Asian Champions Trophy title, and the win keeps their unbeaten run going at home in the first international hockey tournament held in Punjab in a decade.

What happens next

India next face Malaysia on Sunday, 1 November, at 7pm IST in Jalandhar, in a meeting of the tournament’s two unbeaten teams. The group stage runs until 2 November, with the semi-finals in Mohali on 4 November and the medal matches on 5 November.

This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.

Sources

• https://khelnow.com/hockey/india-japan-report-mens-hockey-asian-champions-trophy-202610 (Khel Now, 31 Oct 2026)
• https://hiindia.com/asian-champions-trophy-abhishek-scores-twice-as-india-beat-japan-4-1-reach-semifinals/ (IANS via hi INDiA, 30 Oct 2026)
• https://www.newkerala.com/news/a/asian-champions-trophy-india-continue-unbeaten-run-4-1-749.htm (New Kerala / IANS, 30 Oct 2026)
• https://jugti.com/news/sports/india-japan-4-1-hockey-jalandhar/ (Jugti, 30 Oct 2026)
• https://khelkhiladis.com/abhishek-helps-india-book-semifinal-berth-in-act/ (Khel Khiladis, 31 Oct 2026)