RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian men’s field hockey team began their Asian Games 2026 qualification campaign on a high note, edging out Hong Kong 4–3 in a tense opening match at the Royal Thai Air Force Hockey Field in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

The victory in Pool A provides crucial momentum for the Red and White squad as they aim to secure a ticket to the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

From the outset, Indonesia played with determination under head coach Muhammad Dhaarma Raj, capitalizing on key opportunities despite Hong Kong’s relentless resistance until the final minutes.

Team captain Aulia Akbar Al Ardh led by example, scoring twice for Indonesia. Khaerulloh Akmal and Fadli Muhamad added one goal each, while Hong Kong’s Yan Kwan Cheung, Pak Ko Parco Au, and Farman Ali kept the contest close with three goals of their own.

With this result, Indonesia temporarily tops Pool A with three points. Kazakhstan and Thailand trail behind with one point each after their 1–1 draw in the opening fixture. The win also validated Indonesia’s preparations, which included a national training camp since January and a series of warm-up matches.

“The players are fit and ready. Our target is clear to qualify for the Asian Games 2026,” said coach Dhaarma Raj before the match, as quoted by Antara.

The road ahead remains demanding, with Indonesia scheduled to face Oman on Friday, April 3, followed by Kazakhstan on Sunday, April 5, and host nation Thailand on Monday, April 6. Consistency will be key as the team looks to build on their opening success and secure their place among Asia’s hockey elite. ***