India beat defending champions China 1-0 in the women’s hockey final on Friday, ending a 44-year wait for Asian Games gold and securing direct qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics. Lalremsiami scored the only goal at Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium. India held on for the final 50 minutes.
The Final
The match started at 8 p.m., an hour later than scheduled. A road accident delayed India’s journey to the stadium, and the players arrived at 6:45 p.m. JST.
Ten minutes into the match, India captain Salima Tete entered the striking circle and passed to Sakshi Rana. Rana slipped the ball to Lalremsiami, who scored with a reverse-stick shot despite having little room. That strike put India ahead 1-0.
India protected its lead for the remaining 50 minutes. Salima injured a finger during the match. The final result handed China, the defending champions, a defeat and secured India direct qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics.
The match took place Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. India’s previous Asian Games women’s hockey gold came in 1982, on home soil. The victory ended the 44-year gap between the team’s gold medals at the Games.
A Squad Rebuilt
Less than 10 months earlier, the report described the squad as fractured. Fourteen players were injured, some considered retirement, and a rift in the camp had become public. Those circumstances came before the team’s run to the final and its win over China.
Sjoerd Marijne returned as coach at the turn of the year, bringing support staff he had chosen. The staff included athletic performance head Wayne Lombard and drag-flick specialist Taeke Taekema. India’s results improved from the Olympic qualifiers in March.
At the tournament’s end, players stood on the podium with joined hands. Goalkeepers Savita Punia and substitute Bichu Devi Kharibam exchanged medals. The moment followed a final in which India kept its lead after Lalremsiami’s strike.
The Result
Marijne described the win after the match: “I can't believe it. We won just the Asian Games gold. Last time it was silver. I think we defended really well.” He spoke of the team’s gold medal and its defensive effort against China.
India’s final victory gave the women’s team its first Asian Games gold since 1982. The result also secured direct qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics. The squad’s path to the final came after injuries, some players considering retirement, a public rift and improved results from the March Olympic qualifiers.