KAKAMIGAHARA, JAPAN — October 1, 2026 : Defending champions India survived a remarkable Pakistan comeback before Abhishek struck in the dying moments to secure a dramatic 4–3 victory and book their place in the men’s hockey final at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026.
India appeared to be cruising after taking a commanding 3–0 lead, but Pakistan produced a stunning fightback to level the contest at 3–3. With the semifinal heading towards a tense finish, Abhishek delivered the decisive moment with just 49.2 seconds remaining, sending India into the gold-medal match.
India Take Early Control
Captain Harmanpreet Singh opened India’s scoring in the fifth minute, converting a penalty corner.
He struck again in the 13th minute, giving India a 2–0 advantage.
India continued to create pressure, and Sukhjeet Singh extended the lead with a field goal in the 23rd minute.
At that stage, India held a seemingly comfortable 3–0 advantage.
Pakistan Launch Stunning Comeback
Pakistan refused to surrender.
Abu Mahmood pulled one back in the 30th minute, giving Pakistan renewed hope.
The comeback gathered momentum in the fourth quarter when Hannan Shahid scored in the 45th minute to make it 3–2.
Four minutes later, Waheed Ashraf Rana found the net to complete Pakistan’s comeback and bring the scores level at 3–3.
The match had been transformed from a seemingly comfortable Indian victory into a tense battle for a place in the final.
Abhishek Delivers at the Death
With the match heading towards a potential shootout, India pushed forward in search of a winner.
Then came the decisive moment.
Abhishek’s shot took a deflection off a Pakistan stick and flew into the goal with just 49.2 seconds left on the clock.
India were back in front at 4–3.
Pakistan pushed forward in the remaining seconds, but India held firm to secure their place in the gold-medal match.
India Through to the Gold-Medal Match
The victory keeps India’s title defence alive.
India will face Malaysia in the final after Malaysia defeated South Korea 2–1 in the other semifinal.
Match Score
🇮🇳 India 4–3 Pakistan 🇵🇰
India
- Harmanpreet Singh — 5′
- Harmanpreet Singh — 13′
- Sukhjeet Singh — 23′
- Abhishek — 60′
Pakistan
- Abu Mahmood — 30′
- Hannan Shahid — 45′
- Waheed Ashraf Rana — 49′
The semifinal produced one of the most dramatic finishes of the Asian Games hockey competition, with India recovering from Pakistan’s three-goal comeback to find the decisive goal in the final minute.
