India Triumphs in Asian Champions Trophy Hockey Opener

India, 12 December 2025 — The Indian men's hockey team started their campaign in the Asian Champions Trophy with a convincing win against Japan. The match took place on 11 December at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai, India. India secured a 4-2 victory, with goals from Harmanpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, and a brace by Akashdeep Singh.

This victory marks a strong start for India, who are the defending champions of the tournament. With this win, the team has set the momentum for upcoming matches against other Asian powerhouses, including Pakistan and South Korea. The tournament serves as a critical preparation for the Indian team ahead of the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, particularly highlighting the improvement in defense and penalty corner conversions. The Indian team will face Malaysia in their next match, scheduled for 13 December.

The Asian Champions Trophy is an important event in the field hockey calendar, as it brings together top Asian teams. With India hosting the tournament, expectations are high for the home team to perform well and retain their title.