NEW DELHI: India survived a huge scare against Pakistan before Abhishek scored with just 45 seconds left to give the defending champions a dramatic 4-3 win in the Asian Games hockey semifinal on Thursday.The victory sends India into the hockey gold medal match, while Pakistan will play for the bronze medal.India will take on the winner of the second semifinal between Malaysia and Korea.Just when the semifinal looked set for a shootout, Abhishek produced the winning moment. His effort took a deflection off Pakistan defender Sufiyan and went past goalkeeper Ali Raza to send India into the gold-medal match.India will face the winner of the second semifinal between South Korea and Malaysia.
Harmanpreet puts India in control
India started on the front foot and kept Pakistan under pressure from the opening minutes.After failing to convert their first four penalty corners, India finally broke the deadlock in the fifth minute. Captain Harmanpreet stepped up and fired a powerful drag-flick past goalkeeper Ali Raza to make it 1-0.Harmanpreet struck again in the 13th minute. Manpreet Singh’s run down the left helped India win their seventh penalty corner, and the captain made no mistake.India were now firmly in control and Pakistan struggled to find a way into the game.Sukhjeet then made it 3-0 in the 23rd minute. Shilanand Lakra sent a fine pass from the left of the goal-line and Sukhjeet finished the move.India appeared to have one foot in the final.
Pakistan find a way back
Pakistan, however, got a much-needed goal just before half-time.Abu Mahmood scored from a penalty corner in the 30th minute to reduce the deficit to 1-3 and give Pakistan hope.India continued to attack after the break. Dilpreet Singh and Hardik Singh helped India create chances, while Abhishek came close to scoring in the 40th minute when his flick hit the far post.That miss soon became important.Pakistan grew in confidence and started putting India’s defence under pressure. Hannan Shahid scored in the 45th minute after receiving a pass from Ali Ghazanfar to make it 2-3.The goal changed the mood of the match. Pakistan were suddenly on top, while India struggled to regain control.
Pakistan complete the comeback
India were forced to play with 10 men for a period after Dilpreet was shown a green card in the 43rd minute.Pakistan used the opportunity to keep attacking and eventually found the equaliser.Hannan set up Waheed Rana in the 49th minute and Rana finished the chance to make it 3-3.From being three goals ahead, India were suddenly facing the possibility of a shootout.Pakistan continued to push forward in the final stages, while India were forced to defend deep. The Indian defence and goalkeeper made important saves to keep the score level.India also had a video referral for a penalty corner, but the appeal was turned down.
Abhishek has the final say
With the clock running down, India finally found their moment.Abhishek got his stick to the ball near the goalmouth with just 45 seconds remaining. The ball took a deflection off Sufiyan and wrong-footed Ali Raza before finding the back of the net.India had their 4-3 lead back.Pakistan tried to find another equaliser in the final seconds, but India held on to complete a dramatic victory.The defending champions had dominated the first half and built a 3-0 lead, but Pakistan’s three-goal comeback exposed India’s struggles after the break.In the end, Abhishek’s late goal ensured India avoided a shootout and booked their place in the Asian Games hockey gold-medal match.
