Abhishek struck with 45 seconds remaining as India beat Pakistan 4-3 to enter Asian Games gold medal match

Image credit: Hockey India 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 semi-finals on Thursday.The win sends India into the gold medal hockey match, while Pakistan will play for the bronze medal.India will face the winner of the second semi-final between Malaysia and Korea.Just when the semi-final looked set for a shootout, Abhishek created the winning moment. His effort deflected off Pakistan defender Sufijan and went past goalkeeper Ali Raza to send India into the gold medal match.India will face the winner of the second semi-final between South Korea and Malaysia.

Harmanpreet gives India 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 rose to fire a powerful drive past goalkeeper Ali Raza to make it 1-0.Harmanpreet struck again in the 13th minute. Manpreet Singh’s drive from the left helped India win the seventh penalty corner and the skipper made no mistake.India were now firmly in control and Pakistan were struggling to find their way into the game.Sukhjeet then made it 3-0 in the 23rd minute. Shilanand Lakra sent in a fine pass from the left of the goal line and Sukhjeet finished off the move.India seemed to have one foot in the final.

Pakistan will find a way back

However, Pakistan got a much-needed goal just before half-time.Abu Mahmood scored from a penalty corner in the 30th minute to make it 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 mistake soon became important.Pakistan grew in confidence and began to put the Indian defense 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 completes 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 attack again and eventually found an equaliser.Hannan set up Waheed Rana in the 49th minute and Rana finished the chance to make it 3-3.From leading by three wickets, India suddenly faced the possibility of a shootout.Pakistan continued to assert themselves in the closing stages while India were forced to defend deep. The Indian defense and goalkeeper made important saves to keep the scores level.India also had a video recommendation for the penalty corner, but the appeal was dismissed.

Abhishek has the last word

With the clock ticking, India finally found their moment.Abhishek got his stick to the ball near the crease with just 45 seconds left. The ball deflected off Sufiyan and wrong-footed Ali Raza before finding the back of the net.India regained the lead 4-3.Pakistan struggled to find another equalizer in the dying seconds, but India held on to complete a dramatic victory.The defending champions dominated the first half to build a 3-0 lead but Pakistan’s three-goal comeback exposed India’s troubles after the break.In the end, Abhishek’s late goal saw India avoid a shootout and book a place in the gold medal game at the Asian Games hockey.