Kakamigahara, 01 October (H.S.): A stunning late goal from Abhishek helped India edge past Pakistan 4-3 in a thrilling men’s hockey semi-final on Thursday, sending the Indian team into the final of the Asian Games 2026.

Played at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium, the contest saw India establish a commanding 3-0 lead before Pakistan produced a spirited comeback to level the score at 3-3. With just 49 seconds remaining, Abhishek struck the decisive goal to secure India’s place in the gold-medal match.

The victory also extended India’s unbeaten run against Pakistan. India’s last defeat to its traditional rival came in the final of the 2016 South Asian Games. Craig Fulton’s side also maintained its unbeaten record against Asian opponents at the ongoing Asian Games.

Another notable feature of the victory was India’s return to the Asian Games men’s and women’s hockey finals in the same edition for the first time since 1998. The Indian women’s team had earlier secured its place in the gold-medal match.

India made an aggressive start and earned a penalty corner in the fifth minute, which captain Harmanpreet Singh converted to give his side a 1-0 lead. Dilpreet Singh appeared to double the advantage in the eighth minute, but the goal was overturned following a review by Pakistan.

India continued to apply pressure and Harmanpreet converted another penalty corner in the 13th minute to extend the lead to 2-0.

India added a third goal in the 23rd minute through Sukhjeet Singh. Shilanand Lakra made a quick run down the left flank and delivered the ball into the circle, where Sukhjeet finished the move to put India firmly in control at 3-0.

Pakistan responded strongly after falling three goals behind. Abu Mahmood converted a penalty corner in the 30th minute to reduce the deficit to 3-1, but India went into the interval with a two-goal advantage.

Pakistan intensified its pressure in the third quarter and Hannan Shahid scored in the 45th minute to make it 3-2. Four minutes later, Rana Waheed finished a move from the right to bring Pakistan level at 3-3.

The equaliser set up a tense finish, with both sides pushing for a decisive goal. With only 49 seconds remaining in regulation time, Abhishek seized an opportunity on the right side of the circle and unleashed a powerful shot. The ball took a deflection and slipped past the Pakistan goalkeeper to give India a 4-3 lead.

India held on through the closing seconds to seal a dramatic victory and book its place in the final.

India will now face the winner of the second semi-final between Malaysia and South Korea in the gold-medal match.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar