Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored a hat-trick as defending champions India beat Malaysia 4-2 in the Asian Champions Trophy on Sunday, recording a fourth straight win and confirming the semifinal line-up at the tournament in Jalandhar.
India, the only unbeaten side in the six-team event, sit top of the standings with 12 points from four matches after a match that was a rematch of last month’s Asian Games gold-medal clash, which India won 5-1 in Japan.
Harmanpreet leads from the front
Harmanpreet opened the scoring in the third minute, converting India’s first penalty corner with a powerful drag-flick. Malaysia equalised through Akhimullah Anuar’s penalty corner in the 25th minute, leaving the sides level at half-time.
The captain restored India’s lead with another penalty-corner conversion in the 33rd minute, and Sukhjeet Singh extended the advantage in the 43rd minute with a field goal. Harmanpreet completed his hat-trick by converting a penalty stroke in the 58th minute, before Shello Silverius pulled one back for Malaysia in the final seconds.
The full scoreline was India 4 (Harmanpreet Singh 3-pc, 33-pc, 58-ps; Sukhjeet Singh 43) beat Malaysia 2 (Akhimullah Anuar 25-pc; Shello Silverius 60).
Fourth win in a row
India had beaten Bangladesh 13-0, China 5-2 and Japan 4-1 in their first three matches, and Malaysia were widely seen as their toughest test of the pool stage so far. The hosts passed it to remain the only undefeated team in the tournament.
Harmanpreet’s hat-trick took his tournament tally to eight goals, keeping him at the top of the scoring charts.
Semifinal line-up confirmed
The penultimate day of league competition confirmed all four semifinalists: India and Malaysia are joined by Japan and South Korea. South Korea sealed their place with a 5-0 win over Bangladesh, while Japan drew 2-2 with China.
India will play South Korea in their final pool-stage match on Monday, while Malaysia face Japan. China, on one point, and Bangladesh, yet to open their account, are out of the title race.
Why it matters
The win keeps India’s title defence firmly on track and underlines the hosts’ depth: the goals came from set pieces and open play, and the side held its nerve after Malaysia twice threatened to change the momentum. With the semifinal field now set, India go into the knockout stage as the form team of the tournament.
What is next
India’s final pool match against South Korea on Monday will decide the final standings order, before the semifinals later in the week.
FAQ
What was the score between India and Malaysia?
India beat Malaysia 4-2 at the Asian Champions Trophy in Jalandhar on 1 November 2026.
Who scored for India?
Harmanpreet Singh scored a hat-trick (3rd, 33rd and 58th minutes) and Sukhjeet Singh scored in the 43rd minute.
Who scored for Malaysia?
Akhimullah Anuar (25th minute) and Shello Silverius (60th minute).
Who has reached the Asian Champions Trophy semifinals?
India, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea.
Sources
- The Hindu — Asian Champions Trophy: Harmanpreet’s hat-trick helps India down Malaysia: https://www.thehindu.com/sport/hockey/asian-champions-trophy-harmanpreets-hat-trick-helps-india-down-malaysia/article71653931.ece
- Sportstar — Asian Champions Trophy 2026: Harmanpreet Singh hat-trick fires India past Malaysia to book semis berth: https://sportstar.thehindu.com/hockey/asian-champions-trophy-2026-harmanpreet-singh-hat-trick-india-vs-malaysia/article71653684.ece
- News18 — Harmanpreet Singh’s Hat-Trick Powers India Past Malaysia In Asian Champions Trophy: https://www.news18.com/sports/hockey/harmanpreet-singhs-hat-trick-powers-india-past-malaysia-in-asian-champions-trophy-10407918.html
- Sunday Guardian — Asian Champions Trophy 2026: India Beat Malaysia 4-2 as Harmanpreet Singh Scores Hat-Trick to Seal Semifinal Spot: https://sundayguardianlive.com/sports/asian-champions-trophy-2026-india-beat-malaysia-4-2-as-harmanpreet-singh-scores-hat-trick-to-seal-semifinal-spot-315480/amp/
