By Shahid Khan 
Pakistan ended a 12-year wait for an Asian Games men’s hockey medal after defeating South Korea 5-3 in a thrilling bronze-medal playoff at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Japan.
Playing at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium, Pakistan produced an attacking display and held their nerve in a closely contested encounter to secure the bronze medal.
Greenshirts took an early lead in the fourth minute when their ace penalty corner Sufyan Khan converted a penalty corner. South Korea responded through Lee Gang-san, who levelled the score in the 12th minute, before Kim Jung-bok put Korea ahead in the 18th minute.
South Korea extended their advantage when Yang Ji-hun scored from a penalty corner in the 25th minute.
Pakistan, however, staged a strong comeback before halftime, with Abdul Rehman converting a penalty corner in the 30th minute to reduce the deficit to 3-2.
Pakistan continued their attacking momentum in the second half, but the 3rd quarter remained goalless. With just 8 minutes remaining and Greenshirts appearing to be heading home being denied a podium finish, stunned the Koreans with Rana Waheed grabbing a brace in the 52nd and 54th minutes including a penalty corner conversion.
Spread head Hannan Shahid then sealed the victory by scoring Pakistan’s fifth goal in the 59th minute.
The 5-3 victory secured Pakistan the bronze medal and marked their return to the Asian Games hockey podium after a 12-year gap. It was some consolation as they had just been pipped by India in the semi-final 3-4 with a last gasp winner.
India meanwhile clinched the goal medal defeating Malaysia (5-1) as they secured qualification for the LA Olympics (2028).
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