Rourkela, January 3, 2025: Tamil Nadu Dragons secured a crucial bonus point with a dramatic 2-2 (6-5) shootout victory against Vedanta Kalinga Lancers in the Hero Hockey India League at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium on Friday. Veteran goalkeeper David Harte emerged as the hero for the Dragons, showcasing nerves of steel in the penalty shootout.
The Dragons were rescued during regulation time by Jip Janssen’s 51st-minute equalizer after the Lancers had taken a 2-1 lead through Alexander Hendrickx’s brace (24′, 43′). Tom Craig (31′) also scored for the Dragons to keep the contest alive.
Early Drama Sets the Stage
Tamil Nadu Dragons came out firing, with Thomas Sorsby earning a penalty corner (PC) in the opening minute. Despite a video referral granting a re-award, Janssen’s attempt narrowly missed the target. Kalinga Lancers’ forwards Dilpreet Singh, Gursahibjit Singh, and Angad Bir Singh pushed aggressively but failed to capitalize on their opportunities in the first quarter, which ended goalless.
Lancers Strike First
The deadlock was broken in the 24th minute when Alexander Hendrickx delivered a thunderous drag flick from a PC, giving the Lancers a 1-0 lead. Angad Bir Singh almost doubled the advantage just before halftime, but poor trapping on a PC wasted the chance.
Dragons Fight Back
Early in the third quarter, Tom Craig brought the Dragons back into contention with a stunning tomahawk strike, leveling the game at 1-1. However, Hendrickx restored the Lancers’ lead in the 43rd minute with another PC conversion, igniting cheers from the home crowd.
Late Heroics and Intense Finish
The Lancers looked poised for victory, but a defensive lapse early in the final quarter allowed the Dragons to win a decisive PC. Janssen made no mistake, slamming the ball home to level the score at 2-2. Both teams had opportunities to clinch the game in the dying minutes, but stellar goalkeeping from Krishan Pathak and missed chances from Hendrickx and Blake Govers sent the match into a shootout.
Shootout Drama
In the shootout, David Harte’s experience proved invaluable as he thwarted multiple attempts from the Lancers, securing a hard-fought win for the Dragons.
The match was a spectacle of skill and resilience, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter of the Hero Hockey India League.
