Asian Champions Trophy 2026: India Secures 5-2 Win Over China as Harmanpreet and Sukhjeet Shine

India secured a 5-2 victory against China at the Asian Champions Trophy, overcoming a well-structured opponent that packed the midfield and forced aerial play. According to reports from Jalandhar, coach Craig Fulton acknowledged prior to the match that facing the unknown Chinese team presented planning challenges.

Match Overview and Strategy

China deployed a strategy aimed at denying India ground space, packing the midfield, and defending solidly. However, India adapted through experience:

• First Goal: Jugraj Singh delivered a long aerial pass from the 25-yard line in the 12th minute. Sukhjeet Singh controlled it inside the circle and scored over advancing goalkeeper Huanyu Wu.
• Equalizer: China capitalized on a penalty corner in the 26th minute, with Yang Peng converting to level the score.
• Restoring the Lead: Mandeep Singh earned a penalty corner on a counterattack, which captain Harmanpreet Singh converted in the 27th minute.

Post-Break Momentum

India maintained momentum after the break—an area Fulton previously noted as lacking. Sukhjeet Singh scored his second goal in the 34th minute, and Harmanpreet Singh added another via penalty corner in the 31st minute, making it 4-1. China responded with a 36th-minute penalty corner goal from Chen Chongcong to bring the score to 4-2, before Jugraj Singh sealed the win with a penalty corner conversion in the 47th minute.

Other Tournament Results

• Malaysia 3 (Azimuddin Kamaruddin 10, Akhimullah Anuar 36pc, Faizal Saari 50) defeated Korea 1 (Song Haeseong 31)
• Japan 1 (Raiki Fujishima 40pc) defeated Bangladesh 0

Verification and Practical Implications

Readers can verify official tournament schedules, match sheets, and updates directly through official international hockey federation channels or accredited sports news outlets covering the Asian Champions Trophy.