India set up a sensational hockey semi-final against Pakistan after hammering Bangladesh

India stormed into the men’s hockey semi-finals of the 2026 Asian Games with a dominant 10-0 win over Bangladesh in their final Group A match at Kakamigahara on Monday, September 28. The defending champions completed a perfect campaign in the group stage, winning all five of their matches to finish top of the pool with a goal difference of +45.

Victory sets up a sensational semi-final against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 1. In the next four matches, Malaysia will face South Korea.

India had already secured a semi-final spot before taking on Bangladesh but showed no signs of easing up despite the difficult playing conditions. Heavy rain left the pitch waterlogged and the match was delayed by 30 minutes. India adapted better to the conditions and gradually withdrew from Bangladesh.

Abhishek opened the scoring in the third minute with a cross from the other side after Sanjay created the opening goal. India doubled their lead in the 22nd minute when Jugraj Singh converted a penalty. Harmanpreet Singh then made it 3-0 in the 27th minute from a penalty corner.

India turned the match into a rout after the break. Sukhjeet Singh scored in the 32nd minute before Harmanpreet struck again in the 40th and 45th minutes to complete his hat-trick. Shilanand Lakra added two goals in the 44th and 45th minutes while Sanjay and Mandeep Singh completed the scoring in the last two minutes.

INDIA’S DOMINANT ASIAN GAMES HOCKEY CAMPAIGN

India’s five wins in Group A came against Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Japan, South Korea and Bangladesh. A 10-0 win over Bangladesh capped a hugely productive group stage in which India scored freely and conceded very little.

The semi-final against Pakistan will be a a rematch of their meeting at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Amstelveen last month. India won this Group D clash 5-3 on 19 August.

Harmanpreet Singh scored twice and Abhishek also struck twice as India raced into control while Hardik Singh added the fifth goal. Pakistan fought back through Hannan Shahid, who scored twice, and Sufyan Khan, but India held their nerve to secure victory.

India will now look to reproduce that performance when the two sides meet again in the semi-finals of the Asian Games. The winner advances to the match for gold, with the Asian Games title also relevant for qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

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