Kakamigahara, Oct 2026 : Defending champions India produced a dramatic late winner to defeat arch-rivals Pakistan 4-3 and storm into the men’s hockey final at the Asian Games 2026 at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Thursday. Abhishek struck in the final minute to settle a pulsating semifinal after Pakistan had fought back from a three-goal deficit to level the contest.
The victory confirmed India’s place in the medal round and moved the team within one win of securing direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The Asian Games gold medallists earn an automatic berth at the next Olympic Games.
The result also marked a historic achievement for Indian hockey, with both the men’s and women’s teams reaching the finals at the same edition of the Asian Games for the first time since 1998.
India appeared to be in complete control after taking a commanding 3-0 lead, but Pakistan mounted a spirited comeback to make it 3-3 early in the final quarter. Just when the match appeared to be heading towards a shootout, Abhishek delivered the decisive blow to send India into the title clash.
The Indians began aggressively and opened the scoring in the fifth minute. Following a series of penalty corners, captain Harmanpreet Singh found the breakthrough, sending a powerful strike between the legs of Pakistan goalkeeper Muneeb-ur-Rehman Raza.
Harmanpreet doubled India’s advantage in the 13th minute, converting another penalty-corner opportunity with a fierce effort. India dominated possession and territory during the opening quarter, putting Pakistan’s defence under sustained pressure.
India extended their lead to 3-0 in the 23rd minute through Sukhjeet Singh. The move began with Manpreet Singh winning possession before Shilanand Lakra accelerated down the left flank and sent the ball across the goalmouth, allowing Sukhjeet to finish.
Pakistan, however, refused to surrender. Abu Mahmood converted a penalty corner in the 30th minute to reduce the deficit to 3-1, giving his side a much-needed boost before the interval.
The contest became increasingly tense after the break as Pakistan intensified their attacking efforts. Hannan Shahid scored in the 45th minute after India failed to clear a dangerous delivery from the right, bringing Pakistan closer at 3-2.
The comeback was completed just three minutes into the final quarter when Rana Waheed turned in another delivery from the right to make it 3-3. India suddenly faced the prospect of losing control of a match in which they had held a seemingly unassailable three-goal advantage.
With the pressure mounting and time running out, India searched for a final opening. Abhishek found space on the right side of the circle and managed to get a deflection on his effort, sending the ball beyond Raza and into the net with barely seconds remaining.
Pakistan could not mount another attack before the final hooter, allowing India to celebrate a memorable victory. The result extended India’s unbeaten run against Pakistan to 21 consecutive matches.
India will now face the winner of the second semifinal between South Korea and Malaysia in the gold-medal match as they seek to retain their Asian Games title.
Earlier, the Indian women’s hockey team had also secured a place in the final, where they will meet defending champions China.
The last time both Indian teams reached the Asian Games hockey finals in the same edition was in 1998. On that occasion, the men won gold after defeating South Korea in a penalty shootout, while the women finished runners-up to the same opponents.
No Asian Games edition has yet seen India win gold in both the men’s and women’s hockey competitions. The 2026 Games therefore offer the two teams an opportunity to achieve a historic double while securing their places at the Los Angeles Olympics.
