From One Down to Six Titles: India Overwhelm Japan in Mohali

India completed a record sixth men’s Asian Champions Trophy — and a third straight title — by beating Japan 4–1 in the Mohali final on November 5. Japan struck first through Kazumasa Matsumoto in the third minute and held the lead into the second half. Shilanand Lakra equalised from close range in the 42nd minute on his farewell appearance for India; Dilpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad then scored in a frantic final quarter to turn a tight final into a rout.

The scoreline mirrored India’s group-stage win over the same opponent, but the path was harder. Japan’s man-to-man marking and goalkeeper Kisho Kuroda frustrated the hosts for more than half an hour after the early goal. Harmanpreet Singh’s penalty-corner efforts found the post or the gloves; Sukhjeet Singh was denied at close range. Once Lakra levelled from Aditya’s reverse-flick pass, the press intensified and Japan’s resistance cracked in twelve minutes of Mohali noise.

An unbeaten campaign, a home crowd in Punjab and a farewell goal for Lakra gave the night its shape. Japan earned a late penalty corner with seconds left and were blocked clear. For Craig Fulton’s side, the message after booking the final earlier in the week was simple: finish the job. In Mohali, they did — and the trophy cabinet needed another shelf.