India vs Japan Asian Games Hockey Highlights: Harmanpreet, Abhishek goals help India complete fourth successive win
IND vs JPN Live: Catch the score, updates and highlights from the Asian Games 2026 men's hockey Pool A encounter between India and Japan at Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Saturday.
Updated : Sep 26, 2026 14:03 IST
Follow live updates from India's Pool A encounter against Japan. | Photo Credit: Hockey India
Follow live updates from India's Pool A encounter against Japan. | Photo Credit: Hockey India
elcome to Sportstar’s live coverage of the men’s hockey Pool A encounter between India and Japan.
Match details:
Time: 1:30 p.m. IST
Venue: Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium
Head-to-head record: IND 25 - 3 JPN
Top scorer: Harmanpreet Singh (19 goals)
Previous encounter: IND 3 - 2 JPN (Asia Cup 2025 in Rajgir)
Key Updates
September 26, 2026 14:03
26'
Japan looks to create an opportunity down the right but Jugraj is placed perfectly to stop it and concede only a long corner.
September 26, 2026 14:02
24'
More controlled build-up from India compared to previous group stage encounters. Japan pressing well to keep India on its toes.
September 26, 2026 13:59
21'
PC for India. Third of the match.
Jugraj’s drag-flick is saved by the keeper’s strong left foot. The defence clears the danger well after that.
September 26, 2026 13:56
20'
Japan has its best chance to equalise in this half, but Mohith H. S does his job in goal with an important save.
September 26, 2026 13:55
19'
Another brilliant aerial ball to Jarman on the right. Dangerous ball square into the goal mouth is defended well by Japan.
September 26, 2026 13:53
17'
Japan awarded another PC for an offence by Manpret.
Fujishima’s drag-flick is blocked by the first rusher, Manpreet.
September 26, 2026 13:52
Q2 begins
A goal right at the end of the quarter for India despite not creating as much in the first 15-minute period. Craig Fulton’s side will look to press on and extend that advantage.
September 26, 2026 13:49
15' Abhishek scores!
Long diagonal into the right corner towards Sanjay, who manages to trap it and lay it off to Abhishek, whose tomahawk shot goes wide.
GOAL!! Abhishek opens the scoring for India. Stays calm and slots the ball into the left corner with a strong push. Sukhjeet almost got a touch on it but India didn’t need it.
IND 1 - 0 JPN
September 26, 2026 13:46
12'
Japan not letting India play out easily from the back. The man-to-man marking working a treat.
Hardik looks to send Abhishek through with a quick pass but it is just ahead of the Indian striker.
September 26, 2026 13:43
10'
Japan has the ball in the back of the net, but the whistle had blown for a PC before the shot was taken. A chance nonetheless for Japan.
Raiki Fujishima’s dragflick rolls out of bounds.
September 26, 2026 13:42
9'
Vivek Sagar Prasad wins the ball high up the pitch and tees up Dilpreet whose snapshot is wide.
September 26, 2026 13:41
8'
A tight encounter so far, Japan hasn’t allowed India to create many chances. India continues to press high to steal the ball high up the pitch.
September 26, 2026 13:39
7'
Japan’s first attacking opportunity and the side forces a save from Suraj Karkera after a poor clearance from Sumit.
September 26, 2026 13:38
6'
Second PC for India after the ball hits a Japanese defender’s foot again.
Harman’s drag flick is blocked again, but this time another PC is awarded. His next shot is saved from the goal line. Excellent PC defence so far from the host.
September 26, 2026 13:35
5'
First PC for India as Manpreet receives a diagonal long ball and sweeps it into the defender’s foot.
Harmanpreet’s dragflick is blocked by the first rusher. India deliberating with the referee for a PC but they decide not to review.
September 26, 2026 13:34
3'
Brilliant goalkeeping from Yoshikawa, who comes forward and prevents the lobbed pass from reaching the Indian forward.
September 26, 2026 13:32
2'
Early long ball towards the left corner from Harmanpreet. Sanjay fails to bring it under control despite having 2-3 attempts at it.
Abhishek almost gets at the end of a square pass at the right hand post. First circle penetration for India.
September 26, 2026 13:30
Q1 begins!
Japan with the pushback to begin the Pool A contest. Early foul from Rajinder on the left flank to prevent the Japanese wide man from racing forward.
September 26, 2026 13:28
Time for the national anthems!
The two sides make their way out into a gloomy Gifu Green Stadium. A sparse crowd in the stands despite the host being in action. The umbrellas are still up for the drizzle.
September 26, 2026 13:24
Japan start list
Koji Yamasaki, Shota Yamada, Yamato Kawahara, Seren Tanaka, Taiki Takade, Kosei Kawabe, Kazumasa Matsumoto, Manabu Yamashita, Raiki Fujishima, Kaito Tanaka, Takashi Yoshikawa
September 26, 2026 13:20
India start list
Jarmanpreet Singh, Abhishek, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Harmanpreet Singh (C), Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Suraj Karkera, Rajinder Singh
September 26, 2026 13:19
How can India progress to the semifinal?
India is currently at the top of Pool A with nine points. A win against Japan will create a three-point lead at the top of the standings ahead of both Japan and South Korea.
Since the two North-East Asian nations take each other on in their final group game, India will be assured of a top-two spot with a win today.
September 26, 2026 13:12
Here's how the standings look ahead of the game
Men's hockey Pool A.png
September 26, 2026 13:06
Good afternoon!
Welcome to the live coverage of India’s fourth Pool A men’s hockey encounter against host Japan.
India has three wins in three so far in the competition and can seal in a place in the final four with a win today.
Published on Sep 26, 2026
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