‘Chak De’ in China! In Asian Games 2023 men’s hockey final, India beat Japan 5-1 to win gold in Hangzhou. After their throughout commanding show at the Asian Games Indian Hockey team finished the campaign in style. India won a fourth Asian Games gold and sealed their place in Paris 2024 Olympics. Harmanpreet scored twice in the process. Other scorers are Manpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas and Abhishek.
The last time India won the Gold at the Asian Games was back in 2014 in South Korea. World no.3, India have claimed the Asian Games Gold medal thrice since the inception of Field Hockey at the Asian Games, winning the title in 1966, 1998 and in 2014. Harmanpreet Singh and his team have been firing on Asian Games. They have beaten Japan in the group stage match. Score was 4-2 win for India. India had also beaten Japan in the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai last month. So they were favourites for the gold medal of the Asian Games.
Today Manpreet scored the first goal in the first 25 minutes of the match. But it was not easy for India. Japan was totally in defensive mode. So it was difficult for India. But as the match progress, India flourish. After Manpreet, it was Captain Harmanpreet who scored the second goal. Followed by two goals from Rohidas and Abhishek. Japan’s S Tanaka scored a goal in the last quarter. But it was too late. India got a penalty corner right before full-time. Harmanpreet scored his second goal to take India to 5-1 win. With Men’s Hockey Gold, total medals for India is now at 95 with 22 gold, 34 silver and 38 bronze medals.