India rode on a brace by captain Harmanpreet Singh to edge out Japan 3-2 in their second Pool-A match of the 12th Mens Asia Cup Hockey Championship at Rajgir Stadium in Rajgir, Bihar today. The first goal for India was scored by Mandeep Singh before Harmanpreet struck twice. Kosei Kawabe scored a brace for Japan.

This was the second straight win for India and assured the host country a spot for in the Super 4s stage. Earlier in their opening match, India overcome China 4-3, thanks to a hat-trick by Harmanpreet Singh.

Only two players from Odisha (Amit Rohidas and Shilanand Lakra) have been selected in the 18-member Indian mens squad for the Asia Cup. Besides the 18 players, Hockey India has named two alternate athletes, including Nilam Sanjeep Xess from Odisha.

Asia Cup tournament will be a qualifier for the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium-Netherlands 2026. India will play their third and last pool match against Kazakhstan on September 1.

MILESTONES:
*     Indian goalkeeper Krishan B Pathak celebrated his 150th international game aginst Japan on 31 August 2025..

INDIAN MENS HOCKEY TEAM:
Goalkeepers: Krishan B Pathak, Suraj Karkera
Defenders: Sumit, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh
Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad
Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh
Alternate Athletes: Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Selvam Karthi.

RESULTS (India & Knockout):

29 August (League match): India (Harmanpreet Singh 20-PC, 33-PC, 47-PC, Jugraj Singh 18-PC) beat China (Du Shihao 12-PC, Chen Benhai 35-PC, Gao Jiesheng 41-PC) 4-3. PoM: Harmanpreet Singh.

31 August (League match): India (Mandeep Singh 4-FG, Harmanpreet Singh 5-PC, 46-PC) beat Japan (Kosei Kawabe 38-FG, 59-FG) 3-3. PoM: Abhishek (India).
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PHOTO: India captain Harmanpreet Singh scores one of his three goals against China at the Mens Asia Cup Hockey Championship in Rajgir on 29 August 2025.