India wins Asian Games gold in men's hockey, qualifies for Paris 2024 Olympics

After nine years, India's men's hockey team defeated Japan 5-1 to win the Asian Games gold medal, their fourth in the continental championship, and qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Paris. Captain Harmanpreet Singh led the squad magnificently.

Thus, the Indians, who had to settle for a bronze at the most recent Asian Games in Jakarta, won their fourth gold medal and their first since 2014 Incheon. Other gold medals won by India were in 1966 and 1998, both in Bangkok.

After barely defeating China 2-1, South Korea claimed the bronze.

Amit Rohidas and Manpreet Singh both scored via set pieces in the 36th and 25th minutes, respectively. Harmanpreet scored a pair of goals through penalty corners in the 32nd and 59th minutes.

In the 51st minute, Seren Tanaka scored a penalty corner goal for Japan.

With 13 goals overall, Harmanpreet finished the tournament as India's leading scorer, one more than forward Mandeep Singh.

With over 10 months until the Games, goalkeeping legend PR Sreejesh claimed that winning the Paris Olympic quota will allow the team time to adequately prepare.

The finest part, in my opinion, is that we have a year to train for the Olympics. We performed admirably at the most recent Olympics, the Asian Championships, and the Asian Games, he stated.

"Whenever we participate in an Asian Games, the thought of winning a ticket to the Olympic Games always crosses our minds. Japan put on a stunning performance. We were able to maintain control of the game because they made an effort to score more goals.

In the run-up to the Asian Games, India had a lot of exposure to European teams, but all continental teams were dangerous because they gave it their all on the pitch, he continued.

"All the Asian nations are competing here to win the match and advance to the Olympic Games in Paris. Playing against the majority of the European nations has given us unquestionably greater exposure, but when it comes down to it, the Asian teams give their all, Sreejesh continued.

Vivek Sagar Prasad, a midfielder, claimed that the team's approach in every game was to tenaciously defend. "Offensive play wins games, but defensive play wins championships. That is our guiding principle and the reason we succeeded in this place, he remarked.

The team's Olympic preparations will be put to the test, according to India's head coach Craig Fulton, during the Pro League season in 2019. When asked if India needed to step up their level of competition for the Paris Games, Fulton responded, "No. As you are aware, the Pro League begins in February, therefore that is how we will test there.

Tirkey applauds

Dilip Tirkey, the president of Hockey India and a gold medalist in the 1998 Asiad in Bangkok, was a content man.

Everyone on the team—players, coaches, and support staff—knew that we had to take home the gold. About that, everyone was clear. The team as a whole did an excellent job. Whether they are seasoned players like Sreejesh or amateurs like Abhishek.