Abhishek scored in the final minute as India recovered from a 3-0 lead to edge Pakistan and reach the Asian Games men’s hockey final.
Web Desk: India defeated Pakistan 4-3 in a dramatic Asian Games 2026 men’s hockey semi-final on Thursday, with Abhishek scoring the decisive goal in the final minute to send India into the gold-medal match.
The closely contested match saw India establish a three-goal advantage before Pakistan produced a remarkable comeback to level the score at 3-3. India then found the winner in the 60th minute.
India Make Strong Start
India dominated the opening stages and quickly established control of the semi-final.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored twice, finding the net in the fifth and 13th minutes to put India 2-0 ahead.
Sukhjeet Singh then extended India’s advantage in the 23rd minute, leaving Pakistan facing a three-goal deficit.
Pakistan Launch Dramatic Comeback
Pakistan responded strongly after falling three goals behind.
Abu Mahmood pulled one back in the 30th minute before Hannan Shahid scored a field goal in the 45th minute.
Rana Waheed Ashraf completed Pakistan’s comeback in the 49th minute, bringing the score level at 3-3 and setting up a tense final period.
Abhishek Scores Late Winner
With the match heading towards a possible shootout, India produced the decisive moment in the final minute.
Abhishek scored in the 60th minute to restore India’s lead and seal a 4-3 victory.
The result sends India through to the Asian Games men’s hockey final, while Pakistan will now compete for the bronze medal.
India Advance to Gold-Medal Match
India will face either Malaysia or South Korea in the final, depending on the outcome of the other semi-final.
Pakistan will play the losing semi-finalist in the bronze-medal match.
Pakistan had reached the semi-final after defeating Oman 7-2 in the quarter-final. Rana Waheed Ashraf scored a hat-trick in that match, while Sufyan Khan contributed two goals.
The semi-final defeat ends Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the Asian Games hockey final, but the team remains in contention for a bronze medal.
