Asian Games 2026: Dilpreet Singh Scores Four as India Men Rout Indonesia 13-1 in Hockey Opener
Defending champions India began their Asian Games 2026 men's hockey campaign with a dominant 13-1 victory over Indonesia today at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara, Japan. Striker Dilpreet Singh starred with a sensational four-goal performance, supported by braces from Shilanand Lakra and Sukhjeet Singh.
Defending champions India launched their Asian Games 2026 men's hockey title defence with an overwhelming 13-1 rout of Indonesia in their Pool A opener at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara today. Striker Dilpreet Singh was the undisputed star of the show, netting a remarkable four goals as India sent a clear statement of intent in their quest for another continental gold and direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Asian Games 2026: Deepika Sehrawat's 8-Goal Blitz Power India Women Hockey Team to 19-0 Win Over Uzbekistan.
India Thrash Indonesia 13-1
A commanding start to the Asian Games 2026 title defence as the Indian Men’s Team beats Indonesia 13-1! 🏑💪
A statement win to open the campaign! ⚡#HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame #AsianGames2026 #AichiNagoya2026 pic.twitter.com/H75RlOWFuF
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) September 20, 2026
The Indian team, ranked eighth in the world, showcased their superior class against 58th-ranked Indonesia, dominating from the whistle in a match that served as a vital palette cleanser following their recent FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 performance.
Goal Spree Unleashed
India wasted no time in asserting their dominance, with Shilanand Lakra opening the scoring in the 6th minute. The goals then flowed freely, demonstrating India's relentless attacking prowess. Dilpreet Singh's individual brilliance shone through with goals in the 18th, 19th, 37th, and 49th minutes.
Shilanand Lakra and Sukhjeet Singh each contributed a brace, finding the net in the 6th and 35th minutes, and 38th and 48th minutes respectively. Abhishek (12th minute), Rajinder Singh (19th minute), Mandeep Singh (21st minute), captain Harmanpreet Singh (28th minute), and Jugraj Singh (47th minute) also added their names to the scoresheet.
Indonesia managed to pull back a solitary goal through Aulia Al Ardh in the 33rd minute, preventing a complete shutout for the minnows. Asian Games 2026: North Korean Anthem Played for South Korea Ahead of Hockey Match vs Bangladesh.
Match Details and Upcoming Fixture
The Pool A encounter kicked off at 11:30 AM IST (3:00 PM JST) on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara, Japan, served as the venue. India's next challenge in Pool A will be against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, with the match scheduled for 3:30 PM IST.
India's Goal Scorers vs Indonesia
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| Dilpreet Singh | 4 |
| Shilanand Lakra | 2 |
| Sukhjeet Singh | 2 |
| Abhishek | 1 |
| Rajinder Singh | 1 |
| Mandeep Singh | 1 |
| Harmanpreet Singh | 1 |
| Jugraj Singh | 1 |
Dominant History
This commanding victory further extends India's strong record against Indonesia in men's hockey. The defending champions had previously secured massive wins against them, triumphing 17-0 at the 2018 Asian Games and 16-0 at the 2022 Asia Cup.
This resounding win provides an ideal start for the Indian men's hockey team as they aim to continue their dominance in Asian hockey and secure their place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The team's cohesive performance and clinical finishing will undoubtedly boost their confidence for the upcoming challenges in the tournament.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 20, 2026 02:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
