India hockey thrash Indonesia 13-1 in Asian Games 2026 opener at Nagoya
Synopsis
India's hockey side hammered Indonesia 13-1 in their Asian Games 2026 opener in Nagoya, with Dilpreet Singh bagging four goals and eight players on the scoresheet — yet coach Craig Fulton flagged missed chances and a goal conceded as reminders that bigger tests lie ahead.
Key Takeaways
India defeated Indonesia 13-1 in their Asian Games 2026 Pool A opener in Nagoya on 20 September .
Dilpreet Singh top-scored with four goals , completing his haul in the 49th minute .
Shilanand Lakra and Sukhjeet Singh scored two goals each ; eight different players found the net in total.
India led 7-0 at half-time; Indonesia's only goal came from captain Aulia Al Ardh in the 33rd minute .
Coach Craig Fulton acknowledged missed opportunities and the goal conceded as areas to address.
India's next match is against Sri Lanka on 22 September .
India's hockey team launched their Asian Games 2026 title defence in dominant fashion, demolishing Indonesia 13-1 in their opening Pool A match in Nagoya on Sunday, 20 September. Head coach Craig Fulton welcomed the emphatic start but was candid that there are refinements to make before India's next fixture against Sri Lanka on 22 September.
How India Dismantled Indonesia
Eight different players got on the scoresheet, with Dilpreet Singh leading the charge with a four-goal haul, including his final strike in the 49th minute. Shilanand Lakra and Sukhjeet Singh each scored twice, while Abhishek, Rajinder Singh, Mandeep Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, and Jugraj Singh also found the net.
India opened briskly, racing to a 2-0 lead in the first quarter through Shilanand and Abhishek. The second quarter saw the floodgates open — Dilpreet struck twice in quick succession, followed by goals from Rajinder, Mandeep, and Harmanpreet to send the side into half-time with a commanding 7-0 lead.
Indonesia's Brief Resistance
Indonesia's captain Aulia Al Ardh reduced the deficit with a penalty corner conversion in the 33rd minute, but the respite was short-lived. India responded with three more goals from Shilanand, Dilpreet, and Sukhjeet to make it 10-1 at the end of the third quarter. Jugraj, Sukhjeet, and Dilpreet added further goals in the final period to complete a resounding victory.
What Fulton Said
'Yeah, happy with the first game. I think the boys did well for the four quarters. Not an easy game. We sat with a lot of possession, obviously. All credit to Indonesia; they kept playing all the way through to the end,' Fulton said in a video shared by Hockey India.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, the coach pointed to missed opportunities and the single goal conceded as areas needing attention. 'Obviously conceding a goal, and we left a few goals out there, but at the same time, good win and happy with the win,' he added.
What's Next for India
India face Sri Lanka in their second Pool A encounter on 22 September in Nagoya. This comes amid high expectations for India to retain the gold they won at the previous edition. With Dilpreet in electric form and the team displaying clinical finishing across three quarters, the title defence appears firmly on track — though Fulton's caution signals that the coaching staff will demand sharper execution as competition stiffens.
Point of View
But Fulton's restraint is well-placed. Conceding against Indonesia — ranked far below India — in a title-defence campaign is a small but telling detail; it suggests defensive concentration can lapse when the result feels settled. India's real tests in Nagoya will come against Japan and South Korea, where margins for error shrink dramatically. The depth of the goalscoring spread — eight different scorers — is genuinely encouraging, but the tournament will be won or lost in the penalty-corner execution and press-resistance that a minnow like Indonesia cannot stress-test.
NationPress
20 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was India's score against Indonesia at the Asian Games 2026?
India beat Indonesia 13-1 in their opening Pool A match at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya on 20 September . It was a dominant display across all four quarters, with India leading 7-0 at half-time.
Who scored for India against Indonesia at the Asian Games?
Eight players scored for India: Dilpreet Singh (4 goals), Shilanand Lakra (2), Sukhjeet Singh (2), and one each from Abhishek , Rajinder Singh , Mandeep Singh , Harmanpreet Singh , and Jugraj Singh .
What did India coach Craig Fulton say after the 13-1 win?
Fulton said he was happy with the performance across all four quarters but acknowledged that India conceded a goal and left chances unconverted. He said the team will look to address those areas in their next match against Sri Lanka.
When does India play their next match at the Asian Games 2026?
India face Sri Lanka in their second Pool A match on 22 September in Nagoya.
Who scored Indonesia's goal against India at the Asian Games?
Indonesia's captain Aulia Al Ardh scored from a penalty corner in the 33rd minute to give his side their only goal of the match.
