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Abhishek’s Late Goal Sends India Past Pakistan Into Final
India and Pakistan played a very close hockey semifinal.
India scored three goals early and led 3-0.
Pakistan fought back and tied the match at 3-3.
India did not give up or panic.
With less than a minute left, Abhishek took a shot.
The shot changed direction after hitting a Pakistan player and went into the goal.
India won 4-3 and reached the final.
India will now play Malaysia, and winning the tournament would also earn a place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
India defeated Pakistan 4-3 in the 2026 Asian Games men’s hockey semifinal.
India led 3-0 at halftime through two Harmanpreet Singh goals and a Sukhjeet field goal.
Pakistan equalized through Abu Mehmood, Hannan Shahid, and Rana Waheed.
Abhishek scored with less than 50 seconds remaining after his shot was deflected by Sufyan Khan.
India will face Malaysia in the final, with the winner securing direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Who
- India and Pakistan’s men’s hockey teams, with India’s Abhishek scoring the decisive goal.
- What
- India defeated Pakistan 4-3 in the 2026 Asian Games semifinal.
- Where
- Kakamigahara, Japan.
- When
- Thursday, October 1, 2026.
- Why
- India advanced to the final and moved within one win of defending its gold medal and securing direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Key facts
- Result
- India 4-3 Pakistan
- Competition
- 2026 Asian Games men’s hockey semifinal
- India’s first-half scorers
- Harmanpreet Singh scored twice; Sukhjeet scored once
- Pakistan’s comeback
- Pakistan erased a 3-0 deficit to level the match at 3-3
- Decisive moment
- Abhishek scored with less than 50 seconds remaining
- Final opponent
- Malaysia, which defeated Korea 2-1
- Olympic qualification
- The tournament winner will secure direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Quotes
Manpreet Singh
Indian hockey midfielder and experienced team member
“I’m happy and relieved, because we won 4-3. I think in the first half, we played really well: we were 3-0 up. But in the second half, I think we made some errors. They punished us. Definitely, Pakistan is a really good team, so if you make a mistake, they will punish you.”
indianexpress.com
“You just need to believe in your plans. You should not rush things.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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