India defeated Pakistan 4-3 in a thrilling men's hockey semifinal at the Asian Games 2026 on Thursday. India led 3-0 but Pakistan fought back to make it 3-3. Abhishek scored the winning goal in the final minute as India reached the gold-medal match and confirmed at least a silver medal. How did India beat Pakistan 4-3?India started strongly at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The defending champions controlled much of the early play and created several penalty-corner chances.Harmanpreet Singh opened the scoring in the 5th minute. He found the gap between Pakistan goalkeeper Muneeb-ur-Rehman Raza's legs after India won a series of penalty corners.Harmanpreet then scored again in the 13th minute, converting another penalty-corner opportunity. India went into the first quarter with a 2-0 lead. India increased the lead to 3-0 in the 23rd minute. Sukhjeet Singh finished a move that started with Manpreet Singh winning possession before Shilanand Lakra sent the ball across the goal.At that stage, India appeared to be in control of the semifinal.How did Pakistan make a comeback?Pakistan did not give up after falling 0-3 behind.Abu Mahmood pulled one goal back in the 30th minute through a penalty corner. The score was 3-1 going into the second half.Pakistan continued to put pressure on India after the break. Hannan Shahid scored in the 45th minute, reducing India's lead to 3-2.Only three minutes into the final quarter, Pakistan completed the comeback. Rana Waheed scored to make it 3-3.The match was suddenly level after India had led by three goals. A shootout looked possible if neither team could score again. Who scored India's winning goal?India's decisive moment came in the final minute.Abhishek found space on the right side of the circle and got a deflection onto his effort. The ball went past Pakistan goalkeeper Muneeb-ur-Rehman Raza and into the net.The goal put India ahead 4-3 with only seconds remaining.Pakistan could not find another chance before the final hooter, and India completed a dramatic semifinal victory. The result also extended India's unbeaten run against Pakistan to 21 consecutive matches. When and where is the Asian Games hockey final?The men's hockey gold-medal match is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026.The final will be played at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium, Kakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture, Japan.Final timingDate: Saturday, October 3, 2026Time: 3:30 PM ISTJapan local time: 7:00 PMVenue: Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium, KakamigaharaMatch: Men's Hockey Gold Medal MatchIndia: Qualified for the finalOpponent: Winner of Malaysia vs South KoreaThe official Hockey India schedule lists the men's gold-medal match for 3:30 PM IST on October 3. Who will India face in the final?India's final opponent was not yet decided at the time of the Pakistan semifinal result.The second men's hockey semifinal is between Malaysia and South Korea on October 1. That match is scheduled for 3:30 PM IST, after India's semifinal. The winner will meet India in the gold-medal match on October 3.Therefore, the confirmed final information is:India vs Winner of Malaysia/South Korea — October 3, 2026, 3:30 PM IST.What does the final mean for India?India have now guaranteed themselves another Asian Games hockey medal. A victory in the final would give the defending champions another Asian Games men's hockey gold.The final also has a major Olympic qualification importance. The men's hockey gold medallist at the Asian Games earns direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. India are therefore one victory away from securing their place at LA 2028 through the Asian Games. India's victory also created a notable Asian Games moment. Both the Indian men's and women's hockey teams have reached their respective finals at the same edition of the Asian Games for the first time since 1998. The women's team had earlier defeated South Korea 2-0 to enter its final against China. India will now have to wait for the result of Malaysia vs South Korea before knowing their opponent for the October 3 gold-medal match.Also Read : Asian Games 2026: India-Pakistan Hockey Rivalry Takes Centre Stage in Semifinal
