India survived a tense battle to defeat Pakistan 4‑3 in the men’s hockey semifinal at the 20th Asian Games, booking a spot in the final against Malaysia.
For the first 30 minutes, India looked every bit the defending champion, dominating possession despite lacking fluidity. But Pakistan fought back strongly, turning the contest into a nail‑biting thriller.
With the scores locked at 3‑3 and just 49 seconds left, a shoot‑out seemed inevitable. Then came the decisive moment — Abhishek’s feeble push deflected off Pakistan’s Sufyan’s stick and rolled past the goal line, breaking Pakistani hearts and sending India into the title clash.
The dramatic finish left the Indian camp relieved, while Pakistan’s players were visibly emotional after coming agonisingly close to upsetting their arch‑rivals. The victory highlights India’s resilience under pressure and sets up a high‑stakes final against Malaysia, who have impressed throughout the tournament.
For India, the semifinal win was not just about advancing but also about reaffirming their dominance in Asian hockey, even when tested by traditional rivals. Fans now eagerly await the gold medal showdown.
