Hangzhou: Indian men’s team defeated Japan 5-1 in the final to bag gold at the ongoing Asian Games 2023 on Friday.
The team also secured a direct quota for 2024 Paris Olympics with this win.
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.
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.
