Mandeep Singh Reflects on Thrilling Victory Over Pakistan in Asian Games Semifinal

Kakamigahara, October 1 (Daily Kiran) : The Indian men’s hockey team has secured a place in the finals of the 2026 Asian Games after a nail-biting semifinal against Pakistan, winning 4-3. Following the match, player Mandeep Singh expressed the team’s determination to avoid a shootout at all costs.

With the score tied at 3-3 and the game heading towards a shootout, Abhishek scored a crucial goal in the final minute, sealing India’s victory. Mandeep noted, “We played well in the first two quarters, but our structure faltered a bit in the third and fourth. Those mistakes led to goals. However, we were confident we could pull through and not go to a shootout. In the end, that’s exactly what happened, and we scored in the last 40 seconds.”

He emphasized that the team would learn from the semifinal experience, particularly the importance of maintaining structure in the final quarter. Mandeep added that the Indian team aims to win the final and secure a consecutive gold medal at the Asian Games. Teammate Jarmanpreet Singh highlighted the significance of this victory, stating that the team’s goal from the start was to win the gold medal and qualify for the 2028 Olympics.

The match also featured intense exchanges between players from both teams. Jarmanpreet remarked that such moments are essential in high-stakes matches, as they keep the excitement alive. He praised the effort of every player, stating that they all aimed to give 100 percent. Ahead of the gold medal match, the team plans to address their mistakes and improve their performance in the final. He also commended the Pakistani team for providing stiff competition in the semifinal.

Indian player Sanjay acknowledged the intensity of semifinal matches. He stressed the importance of motivation among teammates, regardless of the score. “What matters is the score at the end of the 60 minutes, not during the game,” he said. Discussing the pressure of playing against Pakistan, Sanjay stated that the team focuses on executing their plans and tuning out external noise.