NEW DELHI : India vs Pakistan Hockey Semifinal: Defending champions India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 4-3 in a thrilling semi-final to book their place in the men’s hockey final at the Asian Games 2026 on Thursday.
India looked firmly in control in the opening quarter and raced to a 2-0 lead, with captain Harmanpreet Singh scoring twice from penalty corners.
Harmanpreet Gives India Early Lead
Pakistan started with intent and tested India’s defence in the third minute, but goalkeeper Suraj Karkera made a comfortable save.
India won their first penalty corner a minute later and continued to create chances. Harmanpreet eventually broke the deadlock in the fifth minute, sending a powerful dragflick through the legs of Pakistan defender Ali Reza.
The Indian captain struck again in the 13th minute. His low dragflick from another penalty corner went through the post defender and the charging rusher to give India a 2-0 advantage. Pakistan earned a number of penalty corners late in the opening quarter but could not find a way past the Indian defence.
Sukhjeet Makes It 3-0
India continued to control the game in the second quarter and extended their lead in the 24th minute. Shilanand made a run down the left before sending the ball into the circle. Sukhjeet Singh was perfectly placed in the middle and got the decisive deflection to make it 3-0.
Pakistan finally got on the scoreboard five minutes before half-time. Abu Baker’s dragflick struck Mohith, and the ball rolled into the Indian goal, cutting the deficit to 3-1. India went into the break with a two-goal lead.
Pakistan Fight Back
India dominated much of the third quarter but could not add another goal. Pakistan grew stronger towards the end of the period and were handed a major opportunity when Dilpreet Singh received a green card in the 44th minute.
Pakistan made the most of their numerical advantage, with Hannan Shahid scoring to bring them back into the contest at 3-2. The comeback was completed in the 49th minute. Pakistan attacked from the right, and Waheed Rana found the net to level the score at 3-3.
India Find Late Winner
With the game level, both teams pushed forward in search of the decisive goal. Pakistan won a penalty corner in the 54th minute, but Sufiyan’s dragflick was blocked by Amit Rohidas.
India then earned a penalty corner with around 90 seconds left on the clock. Pakistan successfully reviewed the decision, and the penalty corner was overturned. India were instead awarded a free hit.
The defending champions, however, kept pressing and finally found the winner with just 50 seconds remaining.
Abhishek’s first attempt was saved by the Pakistan goalkeeper, who also managed to stop the rebound. But India eventually got the breakthrough when the ball deflected off a Pakistan stick and ended up in the net to make it 4-3.
Pakistan had little time left to respond and could not find another equaliser. India held on for a dramatic victory and secured their place in the men’s hockey final at the Asian Games.
