GUANGZHOU (China) : Amin Rahim slammed two late goals as Malaysia came back from the brink to stun favourites India 4-3 on Tuesday and set up an Asian Games men’s hockey final against Pakistan who beat South Korea earlier in the day.As India led 3-2 with just three minutes remaining, Rahim drew level with a penalty corner and then converted another in extra-time to hand Malaysia a thrilling win.The other semi-final also produced edge-of-the-seat excitement as Pakistan goalkeeper Salman Akbar saved the last shot of a penalty shoot-out to help his team knock out defending champions South Korea.Both teams had ended regulation play at 1-1 and failed to break the deadlock in extra-time at the Aoti hockey stadium. The final on Thursday will be Pakistan’s first since they won the last of their seven Asiad titles way back in Beijing in 1990.
For Malaysia it will be their maiden appearance in the title clash after breaking a jinx against India to whom they had lost all 10 previous Asian Games encounters.
Waqas Muhammad put Pakistan ahead in the 22nd minute, before Kang Moon-Kyu drew level for South Korea four minutes into the second session.When the first five penalty shots produced a 3-3 deadlock, the sudden death rule was applied, which produced even more drama. Sohail Abbas and Jang Jong-hyun saw their shots saved, but Haseem Khan scored off the next to put Pakistan 4-3 ahead.Jang Jong-ho stepped in for the next shot amid mounting tension and his feeble push was easily saved by Akbar to carry Pakistan into the final.“I have never played such a nerve-wrecking game in my life,” said Akbar, 28, a veteran of 300 internationals – Nation
