The Indian men’s hockey team secured a place in the Asian Games 2026 gold medal match after defeating arch-rivals Pakistan 4-3 in a thrilling semifinal. India started strongly and built a three-goal advantage, but Pakistan produced a strong comeback in the second half to level the score. The match was eventually decided in the final moments when Abhishek scored the decisive goal for India. 

Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored twice for India, while Sukhjeet Singh added another goal. Abhishek then completed the scoring for India with a late field goal. Pakistan’s goals came from Abu Mahmood, Hannan Shahid and Waheed Rana.

India began the match on the front foot and immediately looked to control possession. The Indian attack put pressure on the Pakistani defence and created opportunities inside the attacking circle.

The pressure produced an early reward for India. Captain Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner in the fifth minute to give India a 1-0 lead.

India continued to attack and maintained pressure on Pakistan. Harmanpreet soon found the net again, increasing India’s advantage to 2-0. The Indian defence also remained organised and prevented Pakistan from converting its early opportunities.

Pakistan received penalty-corner opportunities during the opening stages, but India defended effectively. The Indian defensive unit managed to keep Pakistan away from scoring and preserved the two-goal advantage.

India extended its lead in the second quarter when Sukhjeet Singh scored to make it 3-0. At that stage, India appeared to be in firm control of the semifinal.

Pakistan, however, managed to reduce the deficit before half-time. Abu Mahmood scored to make the score 3-1. India went into the interval with a two-goal advantage.

The second half saw a major change in momentum. Pakistan increased the intensity of its attacks and began putting sustained pressure on the Indian defence.

Hannan Shahid scored in the third quarter to reduce the gap to 2-3. Pakistan continued to attack and forced India to spend long periods defending.

The comeback was completed in the fourth quarter when Waheed Rana scored to make it 3-3. After holding a 3-0 lead, India suddenly found itself level with Pakistan with the match approaching its final stages.

Both teams then created opportunities to take the lead. The intensity of the contest increased as the clock moved towards the final minutes. India looked for openings while Pakistan continued to threaten on counter-attacks.

The decisive moment arrived in the final stages. Abhishek scored a field goal to put India ahead 4-3. Pakistan had very little time left to respond, and India successfully protected its lead until the final whistle. 

With the victory, India advanced to the men’s hockey gold medal match. The final is scheduled for October 3, with India set to face the winner of the other semifinal between Malaysia and South Korea.

India entered the tournament as the defending Asian Games men’s hockey champions after winning gold at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. The team now has an opportunity to retain its title in Aichi-Nagoya.

The gold medal match will also carry significance beyond the Asian Games title. Under the Olympic qualification system, the Asian Games hockey champion earns a direct qualification place for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. 

For India, the 4-3 victory over Pakistan has therefore secured a place in the final and kept its campaign for another Asian Games hockey gold alive.