India secured their place in the
The match began with India in complete control, establishing a commanding 3-0 lead by the 23rd minute. Captain
A Second-Half Fightback and Dramatic Conclusion
The complexion of the semifinal changed significantly after the interval. India struggled to maintain their early intensity, allowing Pakistan to dictate the pace of the game. Hannan Shahid narrowed the gap to 3-2 in the 45th minute, and by the 49th minute, the scores were level at 3-3 following a clinical finish from Waheed Rana. The Indian defence, which had been largely untroubled in the opening stages, found itself under sustained pressure as the match approached a potential shootout.
With the game hanging in the balance, India regained their composure in the dying moments. In the final minute of play, Abhishek managed to get his stick to the ball near the goalmouth. His effort took a crucial deflection off Pakistan defender Sufiyan, wrong-footing goalkeeper Ali Raza and finding the back of the net to seal the win. While the victory ensures India’s progression to the gold medal match, the team will likely reflect on their second-half defensive lapses and loss of midfield control before their next encounter.
India now awaits the winner of the second semifinal between South Korea and Malaysia. The result marks a narrow escape for the defending champions, who were forced to overcome a spirited comeback from a Pakistan side that refused to concede despite trailing by three goals for much of the first half.
