Asian Games hockey: India thrash Indonesia 13-1 in title defence opener
Synopsis
India didn't just begin their Asian Games title defence — they announced it. A 13-1 hammering of Indonesia, eight different goal-scorers, and a four-goal masterclass from Dilpreet Singh in Nagoya sets the tone for what could be a dominant campaign for the defending men's hockey champions.
Key Takeaways
India defeated Indonesia 13-1 in their Asian Games men's hockey Pool A opener in Nagoya on 20 September .
Dilpreet Singh top-scored with four goals (18th, 19th, 37th, 49th minutes).
Eight different scorers featured for India, with goals from open play and penalty corners.
Shilanand Lakra netted twice; Sukhjeet Singh , Abhishek , Rajinder Singh , Mandeep Singh , Harmanpreet Singh , and Jugraj Singh also scored.
Indonesia's only goal came from captain Aulia Al Ardh via a penalty corner in the 33rd minute , confirmed after a video referral.
India's next fixture is against Sri Lanka on 22 September in Nagoya.
India launched their Asian Games men's hockey title defence with a commanding 13-1 demolition of Indonesia in their opening Pool A fixture in Nagoya on Sunday, 20 September. The comprehensive victory, featuring goals from eight different scorers, signals India's intent to retain the gold they claimed at the previous edition.
Dilpreet Singh Steals the Show
Dilpreet Singh was the standout performer, finishing with a stunning four-goal haul to lead all scorers on the day. He opened his account with two rapid-fire strikes in the 18th and 19th minutes, completed his hat-trick in the 37th minute, and rounded off his tally with a deflection in the 49th minute. His clinical finishing gave India an attacking spark that Indonesia had no answer to throughout the contest.
How the Goals Flowed
Shilanand Lakra got India off the mark in the 6th minute, converting a rebound off Harmanpreet Singh's saved drag-flick, before Abhishek doubled the lead in the 12th minute. Indonesia goalkeeper Alam Fajar made a handful of early saves to deny Mandeep Singh, but India carried a 2-0 lead into the first quarter break.
The second quarter turned into a rout. Dilpreet's brace was quickly followed by goals from Rajinder Singh (19th minute) and Mandeep Singh (21st minute). Harmanpreet Singh added a penalty corner strike in the 28th minute — though he had earlier seen a penalty stroke saved by Fajar — sending India into the half-time break with a dominant 7-0 advantage.
Indonesia pulled one back early in the third quarter when captain Aulia Al Ardh converted a penalty corner in the 33rd minute, a decision confirmed after a video referral. India responded immediately: Lakra netted his second in the 35th minute, Dilpreet completed his hat-trick in the 37th, and Sukhjeet Singh added a fourth in the 38th minute to make it 10-1 by the end of the third quarter.
The final quarter brought two more goals in quick succession. Jugraj Singh converted from India's second penalty corner attempt in the 47th minute after his first effort was blocked, and Sukhjeet Singh added his second of the match in the 48th minute, finishing off a driving run down the right flank. Dilpreet's fourth goal in the 49th minute completed the 13-1 scoreline.
India's Depth on Display
Eight different goal-scorers featured on the scoresheet — a telling sign of India's squad depth and attacking versatility. Goals arrived from open play, penalty corners, and varied combination moves, underlining the team's tactical breadth under their current setup. Notably, Indonesia's Fajar made multiple saves in the opening quarter, but the sheer volume of India's attacking threat ultimately overwhelmed any resistance.
What's Next for India
India's next Pool A fixture is against Sri Lanka on 22 September in Nagoya. On current form, the defending champions will be strong favourites to continue their unbeaten run and advance toward the knockout rounds with maximum points from the group stage.
Point of View
But the manner of the win matters more than the margin. Eight scorers and goals across open play, penalty corners, and combination moves suggest India are not relying on individual brilliance alone — a crucial sign for a title defence that will be tested far more severely in the knockout rounds. The one blemish — conceding a penalty corner to Indonesia — will be something the coaching staff addresses, as elite teams in the quarter-finals will punish defensive lapses that Indonesia could not. Dilpreet Singh's four-goal haul is a timely reminder that India's depth in the forward line has rarely been stronger, which could prove decisive if the tournament progresses into high-pressure elimination ties.
NationPress
20 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of India vs Indonesia at the Asian Games hockey 2026?
India defeated Indonesia 13-1 in their Pool A opener at the Asian Games in Nagoya on 20 September . It was a dominant display from the defending champions, with eight different scorers contributing to the tally.
Who was the top scorer for India against Indonesia?
Dilpreet Singh was India's top scorer, netting four goals in the 18th, 19th, 37th, and 49th minutes . He was the standout performer in a match where eight Indian players found the net.
Who scored Indonesia's goal against India at the Asian Games?
Indonesia's sole goal was scored by captain Aulia Al Ardh via a penalty corner in the 33rd minute , with the decision confirmed following a video referral. It briefly reduced the deficit to 7-1 .
When is India's next match at the Asian Games men's hockey tournament?
India's next Pool A fixture is against Sri Lanka on 22 September in Nagoya . A win would keep India on course for a perfect group-stage record.
How many different goal-scorers did India have against Indonesia?
India had eight different goal-scorers in the match: Shilanand Lakra (2), Dilpreet Singh (4), Abhishek , Rajinder Singh , Mandeep Singh , Harmanpreet Singh , Sukhjeet Singh (2), and Jugraj Singh .
