India beat Japan 4-1 to win gold in Mohali

India defeated Japan 4-1 in the final to win gold in the Asian Champions Trophy on Thursday. The team remained unbeaten through seven matches in the tournament. Japan led 1-0 at half-time after Kazumasa Matsumoto scored in the third minute, but India responded with three goals in the final quarter.

Shilanand Lakra equalised in the 42nd minute via a penalty corner. Dilpreet Singh gave India the lead in the 47th minute. Jugraj Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad added further goals in the 52nd and 53rd minutes. In the semi-final, India beat South Korea 8-1 at the same venue, with Shilanand Lakra and Dilpreet Singh each scoring twice.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh said the team stayed focused for the full 60 minutes regardless of the score and stuck to the given plan. Mandeep Singh said winning back-to-back gold medals felt great and that a large crowd gathered in Punjab for the first time. Rani Rampal said hosting an international tournament in Punjab was wonderful and noted that many young children and players' families attended.