India end Pakistan’s title hopes with 4-3 win

India on Thursday defeated Pakistan 4-3 in a tense men’s hockey semi-final of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya. Harmanpreet Singh converted two penalty corners as India built a 2-0 lead in the first quarter at Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium. Pakistan responded in the second quarter through Abu Mahmood, cutting the deficit to 2-1 before halftime. India restored their two-goal cushion in the third quarter when Sukhjeet Singh found the net, but Pakistan refused to go quietly. Ammad Butt scored in the 38th minute and Hannan Shahid levelled the contest in the 45th. Waheed Rana then put Pakistan ahead in the 49th minute, completing a remarkable turnaround. India, however, had the final say. Abhishek scored in the 60th minute to make it 4-3 and send India through. India dominated possession at 54 percent and earned seven penalty corners, the same number as Pakistan. Both sides had two video referrals, while India received one green card and Pakistan one yellow. Harmanpreet was the match's most prominent set-piece threat, scoring twice from eight attempts, while Abhishek converted his only shot on target. Sukhjeet also scored from his sole attempt. India will now await the winner of the other semifinal between Malaysia and South Korea, scheduled for later on Wednesday.