Asian Games 2026: Indian men keen to avoid complacency in hockey final against Malaysia

Harmanpreet Singh will be key to India’s chances in the men’s hockey final. | Photo Credit: RV Moorthy

When the Indian men’s hockey team takes on Malaysia in the final of the Asian Games, it would be clear favourite, basis rankings and recent past. It would do well to be wary of complacency.

The last time the two teams faced off in the Asian Games was eight years ago. India had gone into the 2018 edition as hot favourites, steamrolled every opposition and then paid the price for taking things too casual, going down in sudden death shoot-out to settle for bronze.

Since then, India has won every one of their nine matches, while winning two Olympic medals. None of it will matter when the players step out on the turf at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Saturday.

Both have been unbeaten through the competition so far. Both survived nervy semifinals, against Pakistan and Korea respectively, to reach the title clash. Both will be desperate to prove the hiccups were an aberration and will be vying to seal that precious ticket to LA Olympics. Only one of them will be successful.

India got a wake up call against a fighting Pakistan, losing its shape, tempo and control in the final 20 minutes after leading 3-0. It was a lesson in what can happen when teams start celebrating too early or assume a result before the final whistle.

Malaysia, meanwhile, had to dig deep to find a way past a stubborn Korean defence, relying on a PC and a PS. They would be hoping to avoid a repeat.

Malaysia has never won the continental marquee event. India has never defended its title. It remains to be seen which record gets finally broken.