Kakamighahara, Oct 2:
India produced a dramatic late comeback of their own after surrendering a two-goal lead, defeating Pakistan 4-3 in a thrilling Asian Games men’s hockey semi-final on Thursday to book a place in the gold-medal match.
India looked in complete control early on as captain Harmanpreet Singh converted two penalty corners in the fifth and 13th minutes to give the defending champions a 2-0 lead.
Sukhjeet Singh then extended India’s advantage to 3-0, putting Pakistan under enormous pressure. But Pakistan refused to surrender and gradually turned the contest around.
Abu Mahmood pulled one goal back through a penalty corner in the 30th minute. Hanan Shahid then struck in the third quarter to reduce the deficit further and give Pakistan renewed belief.
Pakistan completed the comeback in the fourth quarter when Waheed Rana scored to make it 3-3. The equaliser changed the momentum of the match and India were suddenly under intense pressure with the possibility of a shootout looming.
India, however, produced the decisive moment in the final minute. Abhishek’s effort from the right took a major deflection off Sufyan before finding the net, giving India a 4-3 lead with the clock almost exhausted.
Pakistan had little time to respond and India held on to seal a place in Saturday’s final.
The victory keeps India’s title defence alive. India had won the men’s hockey gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Games and are now one victory away from retaining the crown and claiming their fifth Asian Games gold in the sport.
India will meet either Malaysia or South Korea in the final.