India Clinches Bronze at Hockey Men's Asian Champions Trophy

India, 29 December 2025 — The Indian men's hockey team secured a bronze medal in the Asian Champions Trophy, defeating Japan 5-2 in the third-place playoff held in Chennai on Thursday. This victory came as a redemption after India missed out on the final following a narrow semi-final defeat to South Korea.

In the match against Japan, Harmanpreet Singh starred for India, converting two penalty corners. The other goals were netted by Mandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, and Lalit Upadhyay, showcasing a strong offensive display.

The tournament, which gathered top Asian hockey teams, served as a preparatory ground for the upcoming Asian Games. India's performance highlighted their potential and areas needing improvement before the continental event.

India's coach emphasized the importance of this win, noting that the team showed resilience and improved coordination. The victory also offered a morale boost after the semi-final setback.

The Asian Champions Trophy was held at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, providing Indian fans an opportunity to witness high-level hockey action on home soil. With the bronze medal, India aims to build momentum for future international competitions.