KUALA LUMPUR: Although World No. 3 India had a slow start, they clinched the Asian Games men's hockey gold medal and secured their ticket to the Paris Olympics with a dominant 5-1 victory over Japan in the final in Hangzhou today.
This victory marked India's fourth gold medal since 1958, with their last triumph in Incheon 2014.
India's passage to the Paris Olympics was secured through goals from Manpreet Singh (25th minute), Harmanpreet Singh (32nd and 59th), Amit Rohidas (36th), and Abhishek (48th).
Seren Tanaka scored the lone goal for Japan in the 51st minute.
In the battle for the bronze medal, hosts China put up a valiant effort but fell short to the experienced South Korea, who triumphed 2-1.
China took the lead with a goal from Gao Jiesheng in the eighth minute, but Korea quickly equalised a minute later, courtesy of Kim Sunghyun, and secured the winner in the final minute of the match through Jang Jonghyun.
FINAL RANKING: 1 India, 2 Japan, 3 South Korea, 4 China, 5 Pakistan, 6 Malaysia, 7 Oman, 8 Bangladesh, 9 Indonesia, 10 Uzbekistan, 11 Thailand, 12 Singapore.