Asian Games 2026: India defeat Pakistan 4-3 in hockey semifinal thriller, enter final
PTC Web Desk: India produced a dramatic finish against Pakistan to book its place in the men's hockey final at the Asian Games 2026. The Indian team secured a 4-3 victory, scoring the decisive goal with just around 50 seconds left on the clock.
India looked firmly in control early in the contest and built a 3-0 lead by the 23rd minute. However, Pakistan fought back strongly and turned the match into a tense battle, scoring three goals to bring the score level at 3-3.
India find late winner against Pakistan
With the match heading towards a tense finish, India continued to push for the winning goal. The breakthrough finally came with less than a minute remaining.
Abhishek's shot was initially saved by the Pakistan defence, but the rebound remained in play. In the ensuing scramble, the ball took a deflection off a Pakistan stick and ended up in the net.
The late goal put India ahead 4-3 and left Pakistan with very little time to respond. India held on through the final seconds to secure a place in the gold-medal match.
The result was particularly dramatic after Pakistan had erased India's three-goal advantage. India had led 3-0 before Pakistan's comeback made it 3-3, but the Indian side managed to find the crucial goal when it mattered most.
After the final whistle, players from both teams were also seen shaking hands, bringing a sporting finish to an intense India-Pakistan contest.
India will now face the winner of the other semifinal between South Korea and Malaysia in the gold-medal match.
India also reach cricket final after huge win over Sri Lanka
India also secured a place in the Asian Games men's cricket final with a comprehensive 124-run victory over Sri Lanka in the semifinal.
Batting first, India scored 169/7 in 20 overs. Ishan Kishan played a key role with an unbeaten 80, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added 38 runs from 21 balls to provide India with valuable runs.
Sri Lanka's chase never got going as the team was bowled out for just 45 runs in 9.5 overs.
Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Abhishek Sharma picked up two wickets each, while India's fielders contributed with three run-outs. Six Sri Lankan batters failed to open their accounts.
India's victory sets up a gold-medal clash against Pakistan in men's cricket, adding another India-Pakistan contest to the Asian Games schedule.
With the hockey team also through to the final, India has now secured two major gold-medal opportunities in team sports at the Games.
Also Read | Asian Games 2026 cricket Semi-Final: India to face Pakistan in high-voltage gold medal clash
- PTC NEWS
