Asian Games: India end 44-year wait for women’s hockey gold, seal LA 2028 berth

Kakamigahara (Japan): India ended a 44-year wait for Asian Games women’s hockey gold, beating defending champions China 1-0 in a tense final on Friday to also secure direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Lalremsiami struck the decisive goal in the 10th minute with a superb reverse-stick effort to put India ahead. China, however, mounted sustained pressure in the remainder of the match as India defended its narrow lead.

India’s goalkeeper and defence produced a determined rearguard effort, making crucial interventions to deny the Olympic silver-medallists an equaliser. India held on through wave after wave of Chinese attacks to complete a memorable victory.

The triumph gave India its second Asian Games women’s hockey gold, following the team’s title-winning campaign in 1982.

The gold also earned India an automatic qualification spot for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, adding another significant milestone to the team’s Asian Games campaign.

PM Modi congratulates team

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian women’s hockey team on its gold-medal triumph, describing it as a result of outstanding skills, teamwork and determination.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the victory was a “very special moment” for Indian hockey and expressed hope that the success would further boost the sport’s popularity across the country.

He also extended his best wishes to the players for their upcoming competitions.