Pakistan lose 4-3 to India after stunning comeback in Asian Games semi-final

Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the Asian Games hockey final ended in dramatic fashion as India scored in the final minute to secure a 4-3 victory in the semi-final on Thursday.

The Green Shirts had been three goals down before producing a remarkable comeback. They levelled the match at 3-3 in the fourth quarter, but India’s Abhishek scored with less than a minute left to send the defending champions into the final.

India took control early at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium, with captain Harmanpreet Singh scoring twice from penalty corners. He converted in the fifth and 13th minutes to put India 2-0 ahead.

Sukhjeet Singh added another goal in the 23rd minute after a move involving Manpreet Singh and Shilanand Lakra. His field goal gave India a 3-0 lead.

Pakistan pulled one back before the interval. Captain Abu Bakar Mahmood converted a penalty corner in the 30th minute to reduce the deficit to 3-1.

The Green Shirts continued to push forward after the break. Ammad Butt received a yellow card in the 38th minute, but Pakistan maintained pressure on the Indian defence.

Their efforts paid off in the 45th minute when Abdul Hannan Shahid found the net after India failed to deal with the attack properly. Pakistan were now within one goal of their rivals.

Rana Waheed Ashraf completed the comeback four minutes into the final quarter, making it 3-3 in the 49th minute.

Pakistan appeared to have forced the match towards a possible penalty shootout, but India had the final say. Abhishek's shot from the right side of the circle took a deflection and beat goalkeeper Muneeb-ur-Rehman Raza with less than a minute remaining.

The defeat extended India’s unbeaten streak against Pakistan to 21 matches.