Pakistan Beat Korea 5-3 to Win Asian Games Hockey Bronze After 12 Years

Pakistan's men's hockey team won the bronze medal at the Asian Games 2026 with a thrilling 5-3 victory over Korea on Saturday. It is Pakistan's first Asian Games hockey medal in 12 years, since the silver at Incheon 2014.

How the bronze was won

Korea struck first through Lee Gangsan in the 12th minute, but Pakistan levelled before half time when Abdul Rehman scored in the 30th minute to make it 1-1 at the break.

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Korea went ahead again early in the third quarter through Park Cheoleon in the 35th minute. Pakistan hit back once more, with Ghazanfar Ali finding the net in the 45th minute to level at 2-2.

The fourth quarter belonged to Pakistan. Waheed Ashraf Rana scored twice in quick succession, in the 52nd and 53rd minutes, to open up a 4-2 lead. Korea pulled one back late to keep the tension alive, but Hannan Shahid sealed the famous win with a goal in the 59th minute to make it 5-3.

Redemption after semi-final heartbreak

The bronze is sweet redemption for a team that came agonisingly close to the final. On Thursday, Pakistan lost 4-3 to India in the semi-final after one of the great comebacks in Asian Games hockey: down 3-0, Pakistan roared back to 3-3 through Abu Mahmood, Hannan Shahid and Rana Waheed Ashraf, only for Abhishek to snatch India's winner with 49 seconds left.

Instead of letting that defeat define their tournament, Pakistan channelled it into a high scoring bronze medal performance. Three goals in the final quarter broke Korean resistance and ended a 12 year wait for an Asian Games hockey podium.

What this means

Pakistan hockey has lived in the shadow of its golden past for decades, and medals at multi sport events have been rare. This bronze, won the hard way after semi-final heartbreak, is the program's biggest result in over a decade and a genuine building block. With a young core featuring Hannan Shahid, Sufyan Khan and Waheed Ashraf Rana, Pakistan finally have something to defend and build on.

Sources: Islamabad Post; pakera.pk; International Hockey Federation.