Rourkela, January 1, 2025 – Veteran drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh rolled back the years, scoring twice to lead the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Team Gonasika in the Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.
Rupinder struck in the 31st and 48th minutes, converting a penalty corner and a penalty stroke respectively, while Manpreet Singh netted the lone goal for Team Gonasika in an evenly contested match.
Early Battle of Strategies
The Bengal Tigers’ duo of Rupinder Pal Singh and Jugraj Singh, renowned for their drag-flicking prowess, were put to work early as Sukhjeet Singh earned a penalty corner in the opening minutes. However, Jugraj’s attempt was comfortably saved by Gonasika’s Oliver Payne.
Team Gonasika dominated possession in the midfield, with Vishnukanth Singh, Jack Waller, and Jake Draper orchestrating play. They earned their first penalty corner midway through the first quarter, but Bengal Tigers’ defence stood firm.
A promising counterattack from the Tigers saw Sukhjeet Singh sprinting past defenders to set up Affan Yousuf, but a missed trap squandered the opportunity.
Goalless First Half
Despite multiple penalty corners, the Bengal Tigers struggled to breach Payne’s goal. Gonasika’s Struan Walker came close to breaking the deadlock with a clever play in the 25th minute, but his effort narrowly missed the target.
Both teams went into the break level, with Bengal Tigers holding a slight edge in penalty corners (5-2) but unable to capitalize.
Second Half Fireworks
The third quarter saw a flurry of action as both sides scored within minutes. Rupinder Pal’s thunderous drag-flick in the 31st minute finally broke the stalemate, igniting celebrations among the Tigers.
Gonasika responded immediately through Manpreet Singh, who slotted a low shot past Jamie Carr after a brilliant assist from Walker.
Both goalkeepers, Carr and Suraj Karkera, showcased their skills, making crucial saves to keep their teams in contention.
Rupinder Seals the Deal
The decisive moment came in the 48th minute when Abhishek earned a penalty stroke for the Tigers. Rupinder Pal stepped up and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, restoring the Tigers’ lead.
The Bengal Tigers almost extended their advantage in the 53rd minute through Sebastien Dockier, but the goal was overturned after an umpire’s referral revealed a foot foul in the build-up.
Despite Gonasika’s late efforts, the Tigers’ defence held firm, securing their second consecutive win in the league.
Post-Match Reactions
Abhishek, named Player of the Match, praised his team’s effort, stating, “It was a tough match, but our teamwork and composure in the second half made the difference. We converted our chances when it mattered most.”
With this victory, the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers have solidified their position as strong contenders in the Hero Hockey India League 2024-25.
