India will face arch-rival Pakistan in the men’s hockey semifinals at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, after completing an unbeaten group-stage campaign with a commanding victory over Bangladesh.
The Harmanpreet Singh-led side confirmed top spot in Pool A by defeating Bangladesh 10-0 in its final group fixture, setting up a high-profile semifinal against Pool B runner-up Pakistan.
Earlier in the day, South Korea’s 3-2 victory over host Japan had kept alive a mathematical possibility of India slipping to second place in its group.
Had the Korea-Japan match ended in a draw, India’s semifinal against Pakistan would have been confirmed even before Craig Fulton’s side took the field against Bangladesh.
Korea’s victory instead lifted it into second place in Pool A and left India needing to avoid an extraordinary swing in goal difference to retain the top position.
Before the final group match, India had a goal difference of 35 compared to South Korea’s 10. Bangladesh would therefore have required a massive victory of around 26 goals against the defending champion to push India below Korea in the standings.
There was never any realistic danger of such a result once the match began.
India dominated Bangladesh and cruised to a 10-0 victory, ending any remaining uncertainty surrounding the Pool A standings. The emphatic result also ensured Fulton’s team completed the preliminary stage without suffering a defeat.
India had already booked its place in the last four earlier in the tournament following a 2-0 victory against Japan.
With Pool A now settled, India will turn its attention to Pakistan in what promises to be one of the most anticipated matches of the men’s hockey competition.
Pakistan finished second in Pool B to secure its place in the semifinals and will now stand between India and a spot in the gold-medal contest.
The semifinal will take place on Thursday, October 1, at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium. The match is scheduled to begin at 1pm IST.
India will enter the contest with momentum after its undefeated group campaign, capped by the 10-goal victory over Bangladesh, as the defending champion looks to move one step closer to retaining its Asian Games crown.
