Archrivals India and Pakistan will face off in the field hockey final at the Asian Games on Thursday with a berth in the 2016 Olympics at stake.

Millions of fans in both nations will be glued to their television screens for the title clash, which earns the winner a ticket to Rio de Janeiro and the loser left facing a hazardous qualification route.

India and Pakistan last met in an Asiad final at New Delhi in 1982, where the Indians were routed 7-1 in front of their home fans - including then prime minister Indira Gandhi.