India set up blockbuster hockey semis vs Pakistan after hammering Bangladesh
India stormed into the men's hockey semi-finals of the Asian Games 2026 with a dominant 10-0 win over Bangladesh in their final Pool A match in Kakamigahara on Monday, September 28. The defending champions completed a perfect group-stage campaign, winning all five of their matches and finishing top of the pool with a goal difference of +45.
The victory sets up a blockbuster semi-final against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 1. The other last-four clash will see Malaysia take on South Korea.
India had already secured their semi-final berth before taking on Bangladesh, but showed no signs of easing off despite difficult playing conditions. Heavy rain left the pitch waterlogged, while the match was delayed by 30 minutes. India adapted better to the conditions and steadily pulled away from Bangladesh.
Abhishek opened the scoring in the third minute with a trademark reverse-hit after Sanjay created the opening. India doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute when Jugraj Singh converted a penalty stroke. Harmanpreet Singh then made it 3-0 in the 27th minute with a penalty-corner drag-flick. ! Glimpses from the Indian Men’s Team’s 10-0 win over Bangladesh as they wrapped up their Pool A campaign with four wins from four! The focus now shifts to the semi-final against Pakistan on October 1. #HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/g3SzBJK0U4— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) September 28, 2026
India turned the contest 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 final two minutes.INDIA’S DOMINANT ASIAN GAMES HOCKEY CAMPAIGN
India's five wins in Pool A came against Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Japan, South Korea and Bangladesh. The 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 rematch of their meeting at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 in Amstelveen last month. India won that Pool D clash 5-3 on August 19.
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 the victory.
India will now look to reproduce that performance when the two sides meet again in the Asian Games semi-final. The winner will advance to the gold-medal match, with the Asian Games title also carrying significance for qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.- Ends
