Indian women's hockey team reaches Asian Games semifinal with fourth straight win

The Indian women's hockey team beat Japan 3-1 at the 2026 Asian Games to register its fourth consecutive win. The victory took the team to the top of Pool B and confirmed its place in the semifinal.

India had earlier beaten all its rivals by big margins and scored freely. Against Japan, India's goals came from Lalremsiami, Ishika and Navneet, while Shiho Kobayakawa scored the lone goal for Japan.

India will face Singapore before the semifinal, a match India is expected to win comfortably.

India took the lead early in the match and was 2-0 up at halftime, before extending the advantage further. Japan pulled one goal back in the second half, but India scored twice more in the same half to go two goals clear. Given the team's current form, expectations are high for a gold medal this time.

The Indian women's team has had an outstanding tournament, scoring 59 goals in four matches. Barring the Japan match, India has scored at least 17 goals against every other team. India won its opening match against Uzbekistan 19-0, then beat Indonesia 17-1 in its second match, and defeated Thailand 20-1 in the third.

India is seen as a strong contender for gold at this tournament. The team has been waiting for a gold medal in the event since 1982, the last time the Indian women's hockey team won gold at the Asian Games. At the previous Asian Games, held in Hangzhou, India had to settle for bronze. Meanwhile, the Indian men's hockey team is also preparing for its campaign, with Indian players having performed impressively at these Asian Games. Fans are now looking ahead to a gold medal.