RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s men’s and women’s field hockey squads will both face host nation Japan in the group stage of the Asian Games Aichi–Nagoya 2026, adding extra weight to their campaign from September 19 to October 4.

According to the Asian Hockey Federation, on Thursday, August 6, 2026, the men’s team has been placed in Pool A with India, Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The women’s team is grouped in Pool B alongside India, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and Uzbekistan. Each competition features 12 teams divided into two pools, Antara reported.

Indonesia qualified for the 2026 Asian Games after strong performances in the April 2026 qualifiers. The men’s squad finished fourth, while the women’s team secured third place. Historically, Indonesia’s men have appeared in the Asian Games four times — 1962, 2018, 2022, and now 2026 — while the women’s team is making its third appearance after 2018 and 2022.

The broader competition highlights Asia’s hockey powerhouses. Pakistan leads the men’s medal tally with eight golds, followed by India with four, South Korea with three, and Japan with one. In women’s hockey, South Korea dominates with five golds, ahead of China with four, while Japan and India each hold one.

For Indonesia, being drawn against Japan in both categories offers a chance to measure their progress against a strong regional rival and build momentum toward deeper runs in the tournament. Matches begin on September 18, with the men’s final scheduled for October 3 and the women’s final on October 2.

Indonesia’s participation reflects its determination to strengthen its presence in Asian hockey, demonstrate resilience through international competition, and inspire future development in both men’s and women’s hockey. ***