Asian Games: India edge Pakistan 4-3 in thriller to enter hockey final

Mangalore Today News Network

Kakamigahara, Oct 1, 2026: India edged archrivals Pakistan 4-3 in a thrilling semifinal at the Asian Games in Kakamigahara, Japan, on Thursday to book their place in the men’s hockey final.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored twice from penalty corners in the 5th and 13th minutes, while Sukhjeet Singh added a field goal in the 23rd minute as India raced to a 3-0 lead.

Pakistan fought back strongly, with Abu Mahmood scoring in the 30th minute before Hannan Shahid and Waheed Rana struck in the 45th and 49th minutes respectively to level the score at 3-3.

With the match seemingly heading for a shootout, Abhishek delivered the decisive blow in the final minute. His effort took a deflection off Pakistan defender Sufiyan and beat goalkeeper Ali Raza to send India into the final.

India will face the winner of the other semifinal between Malaysia and South Korea in the title clash.

Earlier, the Indian women’s hockey team had also reached the final after defeating South Korea 2-0.

The Asian Games gold medal carries added significance as the champions will earn direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

India have remained unbeaten in the tournament and topped Pool A with five wins from five matches. They began their campaign with a 13-1 win over Indonesia, followed by a 16-1 victory against Sri Lanka. India then defeated South Korea 8-2 before overcoming hosts Japan 2-0 in their toughest pool-stage encounter.

They concluded the group stage with a commanding 10-0 win over Bangladesh. The victory over South Korea was India’s biggest-ever win against the team in Asian Games history.

The semifinal victory over Pakistan has taken India a step closer to successfully defending their Asian Games men’s hockey gold medal.