Three matches played, three wins banked — India are making the Hero Asian Champions Trophy at Jalandhar look like a masterclass in stickwork. The Chief Minister's Office of Punjab confirmed on Saturday, 31 October 2026, that the host nation thumped Japan 4-1 to maintain a flawless record in the tournament being staged at the Olympian Surjit Singh Stadium.

India's 4-1 demolition and what it signals

The margin tells the story. A four-goal haul against Japan, conceding just one, keeps India's goal difference healthy and their momentum intact heading into the business end of the tournament. The performance, described by the CMO as 'a display of tremendous stickwork,' underlines why the host nation arrived as one of the favourites. Playing in front of a home crowd at a venue steeped in hockey history adds another layer of pressure — and India have handled it without blinking.

Malaysia's surge and the Bangladesh rout

India are not alone at the top. Malaysia also recorded their third consecutive win on the same day, dismantling Bangladesh 6-1 in a result that announces them as a serious title contender. The gap between the two unbeaten sides and the rest of the field is widening fast. A potential India-Malaysia showdown, if both sides stay on course, shapes up as the tournament's defining fixture.

South Korea's comeback win over China

The day's most dramatic moment belonged to South Korea, who came from a goal behind to beat China 2-1 and register their first win of the tournament. It was the kind of result that reshuffles the mid-table picture and keeps the competition alive for teams still chasing qualification for the knockout rounds. China, meanwhile, remain winless and face mounting pressure.

Jalandhar's Surjit Singh Stadium at the centre of it all

The Olympian Surjit Singh Stadium is named after the legendary Indian hockey player Surjit Singh, a fitting backdrop for a tournament of this stature. Punjab has long been the cradle of Indian hockey, producing generations of Olympians, and the state government's decision to host the Asian Champions Trophy here is as much a statement of cultural pride as it is a logistical one. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's office has been actively amplifying the tournament's progress — a signal that the state sees sports hosting as integral to its public identity.

With both India and Malaysia unbeaten after three rounds, the Hero Asian Champions Trophy is building to a genuine climax. The question now is simple: can anyone stop either of them?