Hockey India Vs. Pakistan Asian Games 2026 semi-final live updates: India take on Pakistan, hockey gold at stake – The Tech Word News

Asian Games 2026 Live Updates: India and Pakistan will renew their long-standing hockey rivalry in today’s sensational Asian Games semi-final, with more at stake than just reaching the final. The Asian Games hockey gold medalist will qualify directly for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, making the semi-final particularly significant for defending champions India.

India were unbeaten in Aichi-Nagoya and topped Group A with five wins from five matches. They started with a 13-1 win over Indonesia and followed it up with a 16-1 win against Sri Lanka. India went on to beat South Korea 8-2 – their biggest Asian Games win over the Koreans – before beating hosts Japan 2-0. They completed the pool stage by defeating Bangladesh 10–0.

Dilpreet Singh scored nine goals, Abhishek and captain Harmanpreet Singh scored eight each. Harmanpreet’s penalty corner kicks will be a key weapon against Pakistan.

However, India will be without midfielder Raj Kumar Pal after he suffered a fractured left thumb. Nilakanta Sharma was brought into the squad, coach Craig Fulton highlighted his Olympic and World Championship experience.

Pakistan reached the semi-finals after finishing second in Pool B after a narrow 4–5 loss to Malaysia. They beat Thailand, Uzbekistan, China and Oman in their other matches. Sufiyan Khan currently leads the tournament goalscoring chart with 11 goals and will be a big threat from penalty corners.

India have not lost to Pakistan since the South Asian Games final in 2016. Fulton said the semi-final was a “crucial game” and backed his side’s momentum after five strong performances in the pool stage.