s2h team

Host India posts its highest ever score 13-0 in the annals of the Asian Champions Trophy surpassing its previous best of 11-0. With three goals from local lad Mandeep Singh, India rode on the high of brace of goals from trio Dilpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh and Hardik Singh. All these scorers, interestingly, from Jalandhar area and had their early hockey on the same Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey stadium.

ACT M 2026 vs Bangladesh

ALANDHAR: Hosts India rewrote the record books in the Asian Champions Trophy, posting their biggest-ever victory in the tournament’s history with a stunning 13-0 demolition of Bangladesh at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium on the opening day. India’s previous best was an 11-0 victory, a mark they surpassed emphatically in front of the home crowd.

Local hero Mandeep Singh led the charge with a hat-trick, while fellow Jalandhar-area players Dilpreet Singh, captain Harmanpreet Singh and Hardik Singh struck two goals apiece. The remarkable feature of the goal fest was that all four scorers hail from the Jalandhar region and had their early hockey grounding at the same Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium.

For Mandeep, the treble on home turf was particularly special. The collective contribution of the four local players added a compelling homecoming element to India’s record-breaking performance, as the hosts made a powerful statement of intent at the start of their campaign.

While India’s victory was a thoroughly one-sided affair, the other two matches of the opening day provided edge-of-the-seat excitement, with Malaysia and Japan emerging victorious after stern challenges from China and South Korea respectively.

China announce their arrival

Asian Games silver medallists Malaysia were pushed to the limit by a youthful Chinese side featuring eight debutants. China refused to be overawed by their more experienced opponents, matching Malaysia’s intensity and staying in contention until the closing stages.

Malaysia eventually scraped through with a 5-4 victory, but the narrow margin told only part of the story. China’s spirited performance was a warning to the other participating teams that the emerging side could not be taken lightly. Despite the defeat, the debutants demonstrated attacking ambition and the ability to challenge established Asian hockey powers.

Japan hold off former giants South Korea

The encounter between Japan and South Korea was equally absorbing. Japan built a 3-1 advantage, only for the former Asian powerhouses to mount a determined fightback.

South Korea refused to surrender, fighting hard to bridge the deficit and keeping the contest alive until the final moments. They even found the net a minute before the final hooter, adding a dramatic finish to an encounter in which Japan ultimately held on for victory.

The contrasting results made for an intriguing opening day in Jalandhar. India delivered a record-shattering performance, China demonstrated that they could trouble the continent’s established sides, and Japan survived a late South Korean challenge.

For the home team, the 13-0 scoreline provides an early boost in confidence. For the rest of Asia, the day’s action offered a reminder that while India have set an imposing benchmark, the battle for honours could be far more competitive than the hosts’ emphatic opening result might suggest.