Kakamigahara: India secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over Pakistan in the men’s hockey semifinal at the 2026 Asian Games, with Abhishek scoring the decisive goal with just 49.2 seconds remaining to send the defending champions into the gold-medal match.
India dominated the opening phase and built a 3-0 lead. Captain Harmanpreet Singh converted two penalty corners in the fifth and 13th minutes, while Sukhjeet Singh added a field goal in the second quarter. Pakistan reduced the deficit through Abu Mahmood shortly before half-time.
Pakistan mounted a remarkable comeback after the interval, with Hannan Shahid and Waheed Ashraf Rana scoring to level the contest at 3-3. India then regained its composure in the closing stages.
With the match heading towards a tense finish, Abhishek’s strike from the edge of the circle took a deflection off Pakistan defender Sufiyan Khan’s stick and found the net, sealing India’s place in the final.
India will play Malaysia in the final on October 3 after Malaysia defeated South Korea 2-1 in the other semifinal.
