21 unbeaten, but only just: India survive Pakistan scare to reach Asian Games hockey final

Defending champions India survived a scare before Abhishek scored with just 45 seconds remaining to snatch a dramatic 4-3 victory over arch-rivals Pakistan and seal their place in the Asian Games hockey final here on Thursday.

In Short

• India beat Pakistan 4-3 in the men's hockey semi-final
• Abhishek's last minute goal helped India beat Pakistan
• Pakistan battled from 0-3 to make it 3-3 in the semi-final

Brief scores: India 4 (Harmanpreet Singh 5' 13', Sukhjeet Singh 23', Abhishek 60') beat Pakistan 3 (Abu Mahmood 30', Hannan Shahid 45', Waheed Rana 49')

Before the India-Pakistan semifinal got underway, it was impossible not to think back to the years when this rivalry was one of the defining battles in world hockey. India and Pakistan once dominated the sport, with little separating the two sides whenever they met.

The balance has shifted dramatically in recent years. India have now beaten Pakistan 18 times in their last 20 meetings, including a 10-2 demolition at the Hangzhou Asian Games. But none of that history could have prepared anyone for the drama that unfolded in Nagoya.

Asian Games, October 1 updates

India survived a stunning Pakistan fightback to book their place in the men's hockey final with a 4-3 win. Harmanpreet Singh scored twice, while Sukhjeet Singh and Abhishek got the other goals as India extended their unbeaten run against Pakistan to 21 matches.

For long periods, it looked like India would cruise through. They were 3-0 up and seemingly in complete control before a drop in intensity opened the door for Pakistan. Abu Mahmood, Hannan Shahid and Waheed Rana struck to turn the semifinal on its head and level the contest at 3-3.

A shootout appeared to be looming. Then Abhishek stepped up. The forward's shot took a deflection off a Pakistan stick and flew into the net, sending the Indian camp and fans into wild celebrations.

India's title defence remains alive. They will face either Malaysia or Korea in the final on October 3.

AMSTELVEEN ALL OVER AGAIN

There was plenty of talk before the match about whether this could become a repeat of India's World Cup encounter with Pakistan last month.

That game in Amstelveen followed a similar pattern, with India establishing a commanding lead before Pakistan fought their way back into contention.

For much of the first half in Nagoya, however, there was little indication that history would repeat itself.

India came out aggressively and immediately pushed Pakistan deep into their own half. They also used long diagonal balls effectively, switching play from deep positions towards the wings and repeatedly looking to stretch the Pakistani defence.

The pressure brought India their first five penalty corners of the match.

Harmanpreet had already scored 21 times against Pakistan in his career before this semifinal, and once again, the captain was the man India turned to when they needed the breakthrough.

On his sixth attempt from a penalty corner, Harmanpreet produced a stunning drag-flick, sending the ball through the goalkeeper's legs to put India ahead.

He was not done.

Harmanpreet struck again soon after as India raced into a 2-0 lead inside the opening quarter. When Sukhjeet Singh added a third in the 23rd minute, the semifinal appeared to be slipping rapidly away from Pakistan.

At 3-0, India looked to be cruising.

Then came the turnaround.

INDIA'S INTENSITY DROPS AGAIN

The concern that has followed India in recent matches, particularly during the World Cup, is their tendency to lose intensity at crucial moments.

That problem surfaced again.

India were still 3-0 ahead heading into the final minute of the second quarter, but instead of seeing out the half calmly, they conceded unnecessary penalty corners through avoidable fouls.

Pakistan finally made India pay when Abu Mahmood converted from a penalty corner in the 30th minute.

The goal changed the mood of the contest.

The third quarter was scrappy, with both teams struggling to put together sustained passing moves. But Pakistan continued to carry a threat, while India increasingly appeared content to protect their advantage despite having more than 20 minutes still to play.

That approach proved costly.

A poor clearance inside the Indian D gave Pakistan another opening, and Hannan Shahid finished brilliantly to make it 3-2.

Suddenly, the comeback was real.

Pakistan then completed it.

A strong move down the right created space for Waheed Rana, who found the net to bring the scores level. A contest that had looked almost over at half-time was suddenly on a knife edge.

India had chances to regain control. Pakistan had earlier been reduced to 10 men temporarily after a yellow card, but India failed to make that advantage count. Instead, Dilpreet Singh was shown a green card, giving Pakistan another opening to apply pressure.

The Indian defence, which had looked vulnerable at times during the World Cup, was once again being exposed.

Pakistan's second and third goals also came from situations that had a familiar feel to them. India will need to address those lapses before the final.

ABHISHEK SAVES INDIA

With the semifinal heading towards its final stages, India finally found another gear. The urgency that had been missing for much of the second half returned in the closing minutes, with India pushing more players into the Pakistan half and actively searching for the winner.

Abhishek was at the heart of that late surge. The forward had already caused problems with his pace and direct running, and he came agonisingly close when one of his efforts struck the post.

Then came the decisive moment. Abhishek drove into the D and unleashed another shot. The ball took a deflection off a Pakistan stick and changed direction on its way into the net.

4-3.

India had their lead back with less than three minutes remaining. This time, they held on.

Pakistan threw everything forward in the closing stages, but India survived the final wave of pressure to secure their place in the gold medal match.

For Pakistan, this will be a particularly painful defeat. They pushed India harder than they have in years and produced an extraordinary comeback after falling three goals behind. But once again, India have emerged victorious from this rivalry.

The unbeaten run against Pakistan now stands at 21 matches.

India captain Harmanpreet Singh described the semifinal as a good lesson ahead of the final. It is a lesson India have heard before, though. Their ability to maintain intensity, protect leads and avoid defensive lapses will once again come under scrutiny when they return for the gold medal match on October 3.

They survived this time. But only just.

- Ends