India vs China women's hockey final LIVE score, Asian Games 2026: Indian team eyeing first gold in 44 years

India's Lalremsiami celebrates scoring her side's first goal with teammates. | Photo Credit: MANAMI YAMADA

elcome to Sportstar’s Highlights of the Asian Games 2026 women’s hockey gold-medal match between India and China on Friday.

India’s historic Asian Games gold: How Marijne’s young team turned its fortunes around

From a coaching change and Wor

From a coaching change and World Cup uncertainty to Asian Games gold, India’s young women’s hockey team completed a remarkable turnaround in Japan.

ld Cup uncertainty to Asian Games gold, India’s young women’s hockey team completed a remarkable turnaround in Japan.

An updated medal tally at end of today's action

India medal tally at Asian Games 2026: Get the latest gold, silver, and bronze medal count, winners, and results from Friday, October 2.

The women have done it, can the men follow?

For the first time in 28 years, both the Indian men’s and women’s teams made the hockey finals at a single Asian Games edition. The women have capped off the campaign with a gold. Can the men follow? We will be there to bring you all the happenings from that match when India takes on Malaysia tomorrow on Saturday. See you till then!

Full list of winners in women's hockey at Asian Games!

Here is a complete list of gold medalists in women’s hockey at the Asian Games ahead of India’s final against China on Saturday, October 2.

A return to Olympics after seven years!

After that brilliant fourth-placed finish at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, India had to suffer the heartbreak of missing out on Paris 2024 and also get relegated from the Pro League. This year has been brilliant for the women’s team, gaining promotion back to the Pro League, clinching a creditable fifth-placed finish at the World Cup, and then this gold. Moreover, a return to the Olympics after seven years!

How India clinched gold after 44 long years!

India ended a 44-year wait for an Asiad gold in women’s hockey as it stunned defending champion China in the Asian Games 2026 final at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Friday.

Full-time; China 0-1 India

INDIA IS THE ASIAN GAMES CHAMPION AFTER 44 YEARS! The players are jumping, high-fiving. Sjoerd Marijne runs into the turf and he’s being picked up by his players. With this Asiad gold, India is also going to 2028 Los Angeles Olympics!

Salima down the right flank. Empty goal, but she goes for a cutback. The danger is dealt with by the Chinese. At the other end, Savita puts a hand out and makes a stop.

57'- CHN 0-1 IND; China goalie out

Looks like Liu Ping has been pulled out. China throwing the kitchen sink with an extra outfield player.

56'- CHN 0-1 IND; Time being wasted

A couple of Indians over at the left corner inside China’s half wasting time. Baljeet was there, Lalremsiami too, before China retrieved the ball and sent a long ball. But no one at the end of it.

Yu Anhui comes in through the right flank and Sushila Chanu is there like a statue. The Chinese player bumps into her, a stick flies, and a foul is given China’s way, looks like.

51'- CHN 0-1 IND; Nervy moments

India continues to defend the slender lead. Less than 10 minutes away from creating history, but the Chinese are constantly knocking on India’s D.

49'- CHN 0-1 IND; Circle entry for India

The Chinese ‘keeper came off her line and tried to kick the ball away. But a couple of Indian shirts were there inside the D. The move was kept alive, but nothing comes from it.

4th and final quarter begins

Will India just do what it’s been doing for another 15 minutes? Or risk exposing its goal and attack? We shall find out.

End of 3rd quarter; China 0-1 India

That’s the end of third quarter. India has been defending with all its might. The last minute or so, India did get the ball and saw the Chinese half for a few seconds. But no attack was formed to threaten the opposition D. Wasting the last few seconds near the corner, surrounded by Chinese shirts, sums up India’s defensive shift in this match so far.

42'- CHN 0-1 IND; Chance!

Chen Yi there with a powerful run from the left side, skipping past her marker with a feint. Then she slaps a pass across the face of the goal. But no one there at the far post to turn the ball into the back of the net.

40'- CHN 0-1 IND; India holding on

China still dominating the ball but India’s defence continues to hold the fort down inside its own half. But offensively, nothing is been offered to the forward line.

35'- CHN 0-1 IND; India surviving

In the first half, India still was able to move the ball forward. But now, perhaps because of Salima’s absence, the forays forward aren’t working. India deep in its own half.

33'- CHN 0-1 IND; Clean up

Some blood has been spilled on the turf. Turf maintenance crew have come on to clean up the same.

33'- CHN 0-1 IND; Injury blow?

Salima is walking towards the bench with a physio, looks like she has to sit out for a while. Will that affect India’s composure in the midfield?

33'- CHN 0-1 IND; Dealt with

The Indian rushers, battery, and the defence in general has worked together to deal with another PC there.

33'- CHN 0-1 IND; Another PC after review

It’s Navneet once again with another goal-line clearance. But it looks like her body is struck with the ball. The on-field umpire points to a Penalty Stroke. However, India immediately reviews. But the review awards a PC for China.

33'- CHN 0-1 IND; PC for China

This is blocked by the first rusher but another PC for China.

32'- CHN 0-1 IND; Brilliant run!

Looks like it was Fan Yunxia with a brilliant solo run down the right flank, twisting, turning and enter the D. But the cutback is cleared by the Indian defence.

Third quarter is up and running. China with the ball.

Thoughts from greats of the game

“The first quarter was really good, but the second, India went a bit more defensive. What a finish there from Lamremsiami,” says Sreejesh.

“I think captain Salima Tete made a crucial interception there, and that Lamremsiami goal deserves to the goal of the tournament,” says former India captain Viren Rasquinha.

Half-time; China 0-1 India

Sjoerd Marijne and Co. will be chuffed from the first half. A goal to give them the lead and a compact defensive performance from the side as well. But a one-goal lead doesn’t always bode well for the leading side. See you on the other side.

28'- CHN 0-1 IND; Green card

China’s Dan Wen has been shown the green card and she has to see this quarter out from the bench. China down to 10 players.

28'- CHN 0-1 IND; China little slopping

India is keeping its shape strong when not with the ball, not going beyond the half-way line. Lot of turnovers for the leading side as the Chinese give away a few passes cheaply.

24'- CHN 0-1 IND; Indian defence working together

Phew! That was another close moment for the Indian defence, but it works together to keep the scoreline the same. It was Shilpi Dabas who takes the ball away from the goal line after Savita’s effort to block the ball fails. The defender then carries the ball out of danger.

SAVITA DIVES LOW TO HER LEFT AND MAKES A SAVE! She denies Zhang Ying the chance to equalise from the Penalty Stroke!

22'- CHN 0-1 IND; Stroke for China!

China has the chance to equalise!

22'- CHN 0-1 IND; Savita Punia playing, and blocks!

Bichu was shown sitting on the bench there on the broadcast, with veteran Savita between the sticks. A block is made.

19'- CHN 0-1 IND; What a block!

This time, China goes for a direct shot with a drag-flick but it’s Navneet who blocks the oncoming effort with a goal-line clearance!

19'- CHN 0-1 IND; Another PC for China

Sushila Chanu’s body is struck by the ball as China goes again.

19'- CHN 0-1 IND; PC for China

China gets its first Penalty Corner for China.

18'- CHN 0-1 IND; India starts well

The second quarter sees India start on the front foot. Most of its moves are coming down the right flank and a pass either being played into the D or near the edge.

Not much time for the teams to come up with new tactics. We are back with the second quarter in this gold-medal match.

End of 1st quarter; China 0-1 India

There goes the hooter. Apart from taking the lead with that thumping shot by Lalremsiami, India has been quite composed in the backline. Passing it around well and creating chances from there. China, meanwhile, hasn’t looked its best on the attack. But it’s just been the first 15 minutes.

Ishika with the injection and Navneet Kaur almost sounds the board! The effort fizzes past the right side of the goal.

13'- CHN 0-1 IND; PC for India

First Penalty Corner for India in the match. Brilliant build-up play from the back, down the right flank. Can the Indian team double the lead?

10'- CHN 0-1 IND; GOALLLL!

Lalremsiami puts India ahead! It was Sakshi’s pass to Lalremsiami first, after which the forward turned and let a tomahawk shot fly past the Chinese goalkeeper as the effort was postage-stamped into the corner of the goal.

8'- CHN 0-0 IND; Start-stop first few minutes

Both sides still figuring out what is working for them in this final. Meanwhile, China trying to feast on a few turnovers in the midfield. India still with its back against the wall.

6'- CHN 0-0 IND; Green card for India

Baljeet Kaur once again is shown to the bench and she has to spend two minutes there.

4'- CHN 0-0 IND; India suddenly defensive

The first minute or so, India was inside China’s half. But then the defending champion has taken ball possession, even creating a few chances as well.

2'- CHN 0-0 IND; China with a chance

A move created down the left flank. The ball is sent inside the D but Bichu Devi comes off her line to kick the ball away.

India gets the ball rolling in the first half!

Special moment for Lalremsiami!

The forward is felicitated as she starts her 200th game for India.

The umpires run out, so do the players. First the national anthems, then the action for the gold medal!

Meanwhile, not all's well off the turf in Indian hockey

Indian hockey umpire manager Gurinder Singh Sangha has been sent home from the Asian Games after complaints of harassment and misbehaviour involving officials and hotel staff.

Another wrestling medal up for grabs for India

Dipanshi will be in action against Kazakhstan’s Zeinep Bayanova in the women’s 50kg bronze-medal match in a short while. You can follow Sportstar’s coverage of the Asian Games to find out what transpires there.

Two weeks set to be over. Here's the full list of Indian medallists at the Games so far

Here is the full list of all the Indian medallists at the ongoing Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, thus far.

The match is now from 4:30pm onwards. Don’t worry, I will be here to keep you company. There’s more medal action as well at the Asian Games, so I’ll keep you abreast of those updates.

Two-time Olympic medallist P. R. Sreejesh has his say on the delay

“I hate that delay. You are in a mindset and need to focus. But it’s all about now. They have done their homework and it’s all about going out there and doing it,” Sreejesh says on the broadcast.

Time to get on the time machine

Don’t worry, I’m not taking you back decades. Just August of this year. The Indian team was facing China, the Olympic silver medallist, at the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup. On paper, it was a tall ask. But the Indian team managed to hold the Chinese to a 2-2 draw. Can the Sjoerd Marijne-coached team take inspiration from that clash and script history?

While we wait for the women's hockey final, India bags two gold medals at the same time!

Sounds absurd right? Sujeet Kalkal and Ankush won a gold in wrestling and boxing respectively to take India’s gold-medal tally to 15! We were glued to two different screens! With these two yellow metals, India has gone up to fifth place in the overall medal tally.

Update: The match has been delayed

On the official Asian Games website, the match start time now is showing at 4:15pm IST.

What happened last time India met China in Asian Games women's hockey?

It was during the semifinals in Hangzhou 2022. And that result ended with China clinching a 4-0 win over the Indians. Two of the Chinese scorers then, Zhong Jiaqi and Zou Meirong, are starting the match today.

India vs China head-to-head record

Yang Liu, Zhang Ying, Zhong Jiaqi, Dan Wen, Li Hong, Ou Zixia (c), Zou Meirong, Fan Yunxia, Chen Yang, Liu Ping, Tan Jinzhuang

Ishika Chaudhary, Nikki Pradhan, Bichu Devi (gk), Lalremsiami, Jyoti, Navneet Kaur, Sushila Chanu, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete (c), Neha, Deepika

Meanwhile, Japan goes on the podium!

After a goalless draw in regulation, Japan beats South Korea in the bronze-medal match with a 4-2 penalty shootout-victory. Now, the focus shifts to the fight for the top prize.

Where to watch the India vs China Asian Games 2026 women’s hockey final LIVE?

The India vs China Asian Games 2026 women’s hockey final will be telecast on the Sony Sports network and streamed on the SonyLIV platform.

It could be a historic day for the Indian women’s hockey team. The prospect of ending a 44-year drought hangs in the air. The last time India won an Asian Games gold in women’s hockey was in 1982. Since then, two silver medals have come, but none of the yellow metals. Today, it has a chance to break the unwanted streak when it faces the formidable China in the final of the 2026 edition. Stay tuned!

Sign in to unlock all user benefits