Category: Hockey

by Abhishek Shukla

Tamil Nadu Dragons Edge Vedanta Kalinga Lancers in Thrilling Shootout

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.

by Abhishek Shukla

UP Rudras Dominate Soorma Hockey Club with a 3-0 Victory in Hero Hockey India League

Rourkela, January 2, 2024: UP Rudras showcased an impressive performance as they defeated Soorma Hockey Club 3-0 in the Hero Hockey India League 2024-25 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium. Early goals and a solid defensive effort propelled the Rudras to their second win in the tournament.

The match began with UP Rudras taking control from the opening whistle. In just the second minute, Gurjot Singh created an opportunity that led to Sudeep Chirmako unleashing a powerful strike to put the Rudras ahead. Despite Soorma Hockey Club gaining momentum and earning two penalty corners late in the first quarter, they failed to convert their chances.

In the second quarter, Soorma Hockey Club increased their offensive pressure, earning multiple penalty corners. However, the Rudras’ defense, led by Lars Balk and goalkeeper James Mazarelo, held firm to keep their lead intact.

The third quarter saw UP Rudras ramp up their intensity, with Sudeep Chirmako delivering a precise pass from the left wing to Jobanpreet Singh, who calmly slotted the ball into the net in the 38th minute, doubling the Rudras’ lead. Soorma Hockey Club attempted a high press to claw back into the game but struggled to penetrate the Rudras’ organized defense.

As the final quarter commenced, Soorma Hockey Club dominated possession and created opportunities, but their finishing let them down. Gurjant Singh missed a crucial chance, and a flurry of penalty corners went unconverted. UP Rudras sealed the game in the 58th minute when Hardik Singh orchestrated a counterattack, passing to Akashdeep Singh, who delivered a thunderous reverse tomahawk for the third goal.

Soorma Hockey Club’s captain, Harmanpreet Singh, tried to salvage a goal with a penalty corner in the dying moments, but it went off target, confirming a clean sheet for the Rudras.

Key Moments:

  • 2’: Sudeep Chirmako’s early goal gives UP Rudras the lead.
  • 38’: Jobanpreet Singh doubles the advantage for the Rudras.
  • 58’: Akashdeep Singh scores a stunning third goal to seal the win.

UP Rudras’ commanding performance highlights their intent in the league as they look to build on this momentum in upcoming matches.

by Abhishek Shukla

Rupinder Pal Singh Shines as Bengal Tigers Edge Past Gonasika in Hero HIL Clash

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.

Vedanta Kalinga Lancers players celebrate goal during the match no.4 between UP Rudras and Vedanta Kalinga Lancers of Hockey India League 2024-2025, held at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium Rourkela, Odisha, India on the 30th December, 2024.
by Abhishek Shukla

UP Rudras secure comeback victory over Vedanta Kalinga Lancers in Hero Hockey India League

Rourkela, 30 December 2024: James Mazarelo put in a match-winning performance to set up a 3-1 win for the UP Rudras against the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers in their Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 match at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Monday.

Despite trailing to a first-quarter goal from Enrique Gonzalez (13`), the UP Rudras secured a superb comeback win thanks to goals from Kane Russell (45`, 60`) and Sudeep Chirmako (50`). 

It was the UP Rudras who set the tempo early in the first quarter with captain Hardik Singh dictating play from the heart of midfield. Though they had more circle penetrations than the Kalinga Lancers, the UP Rudras forward line did not test Krishan Bahadur Pathak in goal.

The Vedanta Kalinga Lancers finally found their rhythm midway through the quarter with English forward Nicolas Bandurak proving to be a menace for the UP Rudras defence with Arthur van Doren also having a crack at goal. 

The Kalinga Lancers duly took the lead in the 13th minute with a clinical move down the right flank.

Sanjay made a run down the right channel and found the young Boby Singh Dhami on the goalline. Dhami threaded the Rudras defence to find Enrique Gonzalez who gave his side the lead with a first-time finish.

The Kalinga Lancers could have gone into the second quarter with a three-goal lead but for some good goalkeeping by Mazarelo. The English goalkeeper first kept out Alexander Hendrickx’s drag-flick before saving follow up attempts from Partap Lakra and Thierry Brinkman.

Mazarelo was a busy man in the start of the second quarter as well, with the Kalinga Lancers regularly finding ways to get inside the UP Rudras circle. 

The UP Rudras were static in attack as they failed to create decent chances in front of goal. On top of that, they were up against a Kalinga Lancers defence which was proving difficult to break down. Particularly impressive was 21-year-old Rosan Kujur who was playing in front of his home fans.

The Kalinga Lancers were the dominant side in the first half as they racked up 13 circle penetrations compared to six from the UP Rudras. Crucially for the Rudras, Mazarelo made five saves in the first half to keep them alive in the match.

The Englishman continued to keep his side in the game in the third quarter as he pulled off a diving save to deny Boby Singh Dhami a stunning goal in the 33rd minute. 

The UP Rudras attack finally began to click. In the 38th minute, Akashdeep Singh, who found himself in a promising position in the circle, only had Krishan Bahadur Pathak to beat but saw his shot being blocked at point-blank range by Sanjay.

Pathak was tested a minute later when Lars Balk’s pass from deep was delightfully deflected towards goal by Manmeet Singh. Pathak instinctively flung himself to his right to ensure his side kept their lead.

Pathak made another good save two minutes from the end of the third quarter to deny Tanguy Cousyns. 

The UP Rudras had a golden opportunity to draw themselves level in the 44th minute as they won their first penalty corner. Kane Russell made no mistake as he fired in his drag flick past Pathak to set up a nail-biting final quarter.

The goal proved to be the wind in the UP Rudras’s sails as they started the fourth quarter on the front foot. The Rudras won possession high up the pitch with Sudeep Chirmako forcing Pathak to give away a penalty corner. The Lancers’ captain was not going to be beaten for a second time from a penalty corner as he dove to his left to keep out the drag attempt.

The Rudras completed an incredible turnaround in the 50th minute to take the lead for the first time in the match. Lars Balk’s drive from outside the circle was touched towards goal by Sudeep Chirmako. Gurjot Singh challenged Pathak for the shot but neither player was able to get a touch as the ball rolled into the goal. The home crowd was stunned into silence.

The Lancers upped their tempo looking to the equaliser but struggled to find a way past the impervious Mazarelo. The Netherlands’ 2024 Olympics gold medallist Thierry Brinkman found himself in a promising position in the 54th minute only to see his attempt being smothered by Mazarelo.

The Lancers threw the kitchen sink in their hunt for an equaliser as they removed goalkeeper Pathak for an extra outfield player for the final three minutes. However, it was the UP Rudras who came closest to scoring as Jobanpreet Singh failed to connect with a cross from the right with the goal gaping in front of him. 

The Rudras did get their third goal late as Lalit Kumar Upadhyay won a penalty corner with 14 seconds left on the clock. With no goalkeeper between the sticks and only four defenders to beat, Kane Russell secured his second of the night to give his side victory.

Player of the Match James Mazarelo said, “It is a massive win just to show that we know that even if we’re down in the game, we’re always in the match and then we can back ourselves to go and score multiple goals.”

Delhi SG Pipers will play Hyderabad Toofans on December 31 at 8:15 PM IST.

The matches will be broadcast on multiple channels and in multiple languages. The lineup includes the Doordarshan network, including DD Sports, as well as Sony Sports Network – Sony Ten 1, 3, and 4.

players in action during the match no.3 between Soorma Hockey Club and Tamil Nadu Dragons of Hockey India League 2024-2025, held at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium Rourkela, Odisha, India on the 29th December, 2024.
by Abhishek Shukla

Soorma Hockey Club beat Tamil Nadu Dragons 1-1 (4-1 SO) in penalty shootouts

Rourkela, 29 December 2024: Soorma Hockey Club took on Tamil Nadu Dragons and beat them 1-1 (4-1 SO), clinching the bonus point in penalty shootouts to conclude the second day of action at the Hero Hockey India League 2024-25 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela today. Nathan Ephraums (49’) scored the first goal of the game for Tamil Nadu Dragons in the fourth quarter but Gurjant Singh (54’) quickly equalised for Soorma Hockey Club, ending regulation time as a 1-1 draw.

The game began cautiously, with both teams feeling each other out. Tamil Nadu Dragons gradually found their rhythm, making occasional forays into Soorma territory but failed to produce a shot on target. Soorma’s Gurjant Singh injected some energy into the game, picking up the ball on the right wing, skipping past his marker, and firing a reverse shot but Tamil Nadu Dragons’ goalkeeper David Harte was up to the task, making a crucial save with just four minutes remaining in the quarter. In the dying moments of the first quarter, Victor Wegnez surged into the shooting circle, earning a penalty corner. However, Nicolas Della Torre’s flick went wide, leaving the deadlock unbroken.

Tamil Nadu Dragons’ Thomas Sorsby created the first opportunity of the second quarter by drawing a penalty corner on the counter but Soorma’s defensive unit held firm to avert the danger. Soorma then took control of possession, looking to carve out a clear scoring chance and it was Wengez who threatened to score on the reverse with the half coming to a close but his shot sailed wide. Tom Craig rushed into the shooting circle from a Tamil Nadu Dragons counter attack and stretched to swat the ball on goal but Soorma’s Goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch charged down the shot and the second quarter ended goalless.

Three minutes into the third quarter, Blake Govers manufactured a penalty corner for Tamil Nadu Dragons but Jip Janssen’s flick was off the mark. Nicolas Poncelet responded by earning a penalty corner for Soorma and David Harte pulled off a superb save to deny Harmanpreet Singh. Both teams remained cautious in possession but failed to create more chances and the third quarter ended 0-0.

Soorma created a penalty corner as the last quarter began but Harmanpreet’s drag flick was swatted away by Thomas Sorsby on the line. Soon after, Tamil Nadu Dragons went on to earn a penalty corner of their own and Nathan Ephraums pounced on a save by Vincent Vanasch to find the back of the net and finally break the deadlock. Soorma surged ahead in search for an equaliser and earned a penalty corner with six minutes left in the game. This time it was Gurjant who pounced on a save from David Harte to lift the ball into the net and restore parity for Soorma Hockey Club; forcing the game into penalty shootouts.

Harmanpreet Singh, Victor Wegnez, Vivek Sagar Prasad and Nicolas Keenan scored for Soorma Hockey Club while Vincent Vanasch made two saves to win the match in penalty shootouts.

“I am in a great team, we had a close match but I did my part in the penalty shootouts and we walked away with the win,” Player of the Match Vincent Vanasch said after the match.

UP Rudras will take on Vedanta Kalinga Lancers in the only match on December 30 at 8:15 PM IST.

The matches will be broadcast on multiple channels and in multiple languages. The lineup includes the Doordarshan network, including DD Sports, as well as Sony Sports Network – Sony Ten 1, 3, and 4.

For digital audiences, the matches will be available to stream on Sony LIV and Waves, the new OTT platform by Prasar Bharati.

Hockey India League
by Abhishek Shukla

Delhi SG Pipers defeats Gonasika in Hero Hockey India League opener

Rourkela, 28 December 2024: The Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 season got off to a thrilling start with Delhi SG Pipers triumphing against Gonasika,  at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Saturday. Tomas Domene (5`, 39`) scored for Delhi SG Pipers while Struan Walker (26`) and Victor Charlet (35`) scored for Gonasika.

Argentina’s Domene scored the first goal of Hero Hockey India League 2024-25 season in the fifth minute. Delhi SG Pipers captain Jake Whetton won possession high up the pitch and dribbled his way into the Gonasika circle before winning a penalty corner off Dipsan Tirkey. Domene rifled his drag flick into goal with goalkeeper Oliver Payne barely getting any time to react.

Gonasika slowly found their rhythm as the first quarter went on and came close to equalising towards the end. Captain Manpreet Singh played a one-two with Jack Waller but failed to connect with the ball in front of goal. 

Gonasika pressed hard for an equaliser and deservedly got it four minutes from the end of the second quarter. Araijeet Singh Hundal hit a powerful shot hoping to catch Delhi SG Pipers goalkeeper Benjamin Rennie off at the near post. The shot took a slight deflection off Gonasika forward Nikkin Thimmaiah’s stick and crashed onto the post. Rennie was caught off guard with Scotland’s Walker tapping the ball into the empty goal.

Delhi SG Pipers looked to hit back immediately but Payne made a couple of good saves to ensure both teams went into halftime on level terms. 

Having trailed for most of the first half, Gonasika took the lead early five minutes into the third quarter. Mandeep Singh and Araijeet Singh Hundal led a Gonasika counter before the latter won a penalty corner. France’s Victor Charlet’s ferocious drag flick evaded goalkeeper Pawan and Jarmanpreet Singh at the post sparking wild celebrations from the Gonasika players.

However, Gonasika’s lead lasted only four minutes. Walker received a five-minute suspension soon after for a poor foul and Delhi SG Pipers capitalised upon their numerical advantage. Ky Willott got the ball on the goalline and the Australian played an inch-perfect cut-back which Domene converted with ease.

Domene could have completed his hat-trick in the final minute of the third quarter from a penalty corner. However, Payne saved Domene’s drag flick before denying Sumit Kumar from the rebound.

Payne was in imperious form as he pulled off two stunning saves midway through the fourth quarter to deny Delhi SG Pipers the lead. A minute later, Domene once again came close to completing his hat-trick but his drag-flick cannoned off the post.

Gonasika and Delhi SG Pipers went all in searching for a late winner but both goalkeepers stood firm as the match ended 2-2. In the penalty shootout, Delhi SG Pipers converted four of their five attempts to secure the victory. Jake Whetton, Tomas Domene, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha and Raj Kumar Pal converted successfully for Delhi SG Pipers.

Hyderabad Toofans will play Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers in the first match on December 29 at 6:00 PM IST. Soorma Hockey Club will play Tamil Nadu Dragons in the second match on December 29 at 8:15 PM IST.

The matches will be broadcast on multiple channels and in multiple languages. The lineup includes the Doordarshan network, including DD Sports, as well as Sony Sports Network – Sony Ten 1, 3, and 4.

by Abhishek Shukla

‘HIL propelled us to greater heights, same can be expected for the Women’s Team,’ says Soorma Hockey Club Harmanpreet Singh

Rourkela, December 26, 2024: Indian men’s hockey team captain and star drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh has expressed his excitement as he prepares to lead Soorma Hockey Club in the upcoming Hero Hockey India League (HIL) season, set to commence on December 28, 2024.

Harmanpreet Singh became the most expensive player in HIL history after being acquired by Soorma Hockey Club for ₹78 lakh during the recent auction and is eager to bring his experience and drag flicking prowess to the franchise.

“I’m thrilled to begin this new chapter of Indian Hockey as a Soorma Hockey Club player and compete in the Hero Hockey India League. The league provides a fantastic platform for players to showcase their skills, and I’m looking forward to contributing to the team’s success this season,” he commented.

The Hero Hockey India League, returning after a hiatus, promises to deliver high-octane action and showcase top-tier talent from around the world. While the Hero Hockey India League is restarting after a seven-year hiatus, the return of the league is accompanied by the commencement of a Women’s League, the very first of its kind in India.

“The impact of the HIL can be seen to this day in the Indian Men’s Hockey Team. The Team’s success in the Olympics is due to the exposure the League provided us, at a young age. Rubbing shoulders with players you look up to and competing with and against them on a daily basis improved us more than we could imagine. With the Women’s HIL also commencing this time I am certain that it will propel the Indian Women’s Hockey Team to greater heights as well in the future,” he added.

The Soorma Hockey Club is coached by Jeroen Baart, with Indian hockey legend Sardar Singh serving as a mentor. Harmanpreet’s impressive track record includes scoring 205 goals in 234 appearances for the national senior side and he will aim to replicate the same in the HIL along with world class teammates like Vivek Sagar Prasad, Gurjant Singh, Victor Wegnez, and Jeremy Hayward.

“The HIL is going to be a great experience for us all. It is poised to be an exciting competition that will pitch us against our international teammates and challenge us to bring our A-game. Playing in front of passionate fans and representing Soorma Hockey Club is a tremendous honour, and I am eager to give my best to achieve success for the team,” Harmanpreet concluded.

by Abhishek Shukla

‘HIL will take Indian Hockey to the top and help us stay there,’ says UP Rudras’ forward Lalit Kumar Upadhyay

Rourkela, 25 December 2024: As the excitement builds for the return of the Hero Hockey India League (HIL), Lalit Kumar Upadhyay of the UP Rudras is gearing up in Rourkela, training with his new team to face the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers in less than a week. A seasoned forward for the Indian Men’s Hockey Team and a two-time Olympic Bronze medallist, Lalit credits the HIL for shaping his early career and providing the opportunity to fight for his place on the national team.

“When the league was introduced, it was a huge platform for Indian players. It offered us a chance to showcase our talent and directly make it to the squad,” Lalit remarked. He highlighted the financial and professional support the league has provided, noting its instrumental role in elevating the sport’s profile. “It gave us the experience of playing with legends we had only seen on TV. Sharing the field with such icons boosted our confidence and made us more comfortable in competitive scenarios. India’s performance graph went up after the first HIL, and with the league returning now, I am sure it will take us to the top and help us stay there.”

Lalit’s journey with the Kalinga Lancers began in 2013 during the previous edition of the HIL. This platform allowed him to showcase his skills on an international stage and carve a path to the Indian Men’s Hockey Team. Reflecting on his time in the league, Lalit shared his three most cherished HIL moments:

“I was out of the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team for the Junior World Cup in 2013, but as a Kalinga Lancer, I scored one of my best goals against the UP team. It was one of the best goals of the season and a key reason why I was selected for the Indian team at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup 2014,” he said.

“My second-best memory is from the 2017 season. Again, as part of the Kalinga Lancers, I scored notable goals and helped the team win the title. We had several close games, many going down to penalty shootouts. In the semi-final match against the UP Wizards, I bypassed the Great Wall of Indian Hockey, PR Sreejesh, to score a crucial goal.”

“But my best moment was when the Kalinga Lancers decided to retain me and showed faith in me to lead the line as a young forward. That trust was reassuring and built the confidence I carry to this day,” the 31-year-old added.

As the Hero HIL returns, Lalit is joined by fellow Olympic Bronze medallists Hardik Singh and Simranjeet Singh, along with international stars like Lars Balk, Floris Wortelboer, and Sam Ward in the UP Rudras. Together, they aim to guide and nurture the next generation of Indian hockey players while putting on a spectacular show for spectators in Rourkela, Odisha.

Looking ahead to the season, Lalit expressed optimism about team dynamics and the role of franchise support. “With a new team, it takes time to adjust, but as tournaments progress, bonding improves naturally. The franchise has been incredibly supportive, and the coaching staff’s expertise is invaluable in guiding us to perform at our best,” he concluded.

by Abhishek Shukla

Indian Men’s Hockey Team keen to take on Spain in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24

Rourkela, 18th February 2024: The Indian Men’s Hockey Team are set to face Spain in the first match of the Rourkela leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 on Monday at Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium. India emerged victorious 4-1 the last time they faced Spain in the Bhubaneswar leg.

India have thus far played four matches in the Pro League. They won their games against Spain and Ireland by a 4-1 and 1-0 margin respectively and registered a 4-6 loss to Australia. Meanwhile, their clash against Netherlands ended as a 2-2 draw, with India claiming the bonus point after a penalty shootout which ended with a 4-2 score line.

Reflecting on the team’s performance in the Pro League so far, Indian Men’s Hockey Team Captain Harmanpreet Singh said, “Spain and all the other teams here are hard to play against. In addition to our first match with Spain, we learned a lot from our matches against Australia and the Netherlands and the game against Ireland was tough as well. For us, these are major matches before the Paris 2024 Olympics, the team has performed well so far and we are keen to take on Spain again in Rourkela to further test ourselves.”

After their contest against Spain, India will battle the Netherlands on the 21st February, Australia on the 24th February and Ireland on the 25th February.

Spain on the other hand, lost their matches against India, Australia, and the Netherlands by 1-4, 3-4, and 0-3 respectively. In the last match of the Bhubaneswar leg they registered a 4-2 victory against Ireland.

“We want to win every game and the game against India is no different. This time we will aim to improve on our penalty corners and our movement in the attacking circle, the game was closer than the score line suggests and we just need to be focused in and around the circle and I’m sure we will give India a tough contest,” commented Spain’s captain Marc Miralles ahead of their clash against India.

India will take on Spain at 1930 hrs on 19th February.

All matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 will be streamed on JioCinema, additionally, all India matches will be telecast on Sports18 – Khel.

by Abhishek Shukla

Indian Women’s Hockey Team prepped to take on Australia and the US in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24

Rourkela, 16th February 2024: The Indian Women’s Hockey Team will play their final two games of the Rourkela leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 on 17th and 18th February when they take on Australia and the United States of America respectively at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Rourkela.

The Indian Women’s Hockey Team has had a tough outing so far at the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24, having lost four of their five matches. After suffering a 1-2 defeat in their first match against China, the Indian Women’s Hockey Team went on to lose 1-3 to the Netherlands and 0-3 to Australia before beating the United States 3-1 in their final match of the Bhubaneswar leg. In their first match of the Rourkela leg, India took the lead early in the game but China came back strongly to win the game 2-1. India then went on to lose 0-1 to the Netherlands.

Speaking ahead of the clash with Australia, Indian Women’s Hockey Team Captain Savita said, “We lost the last encounter against Australia but we are focused on securing the win this time and we will give our one hundred percent. Australia plays a similar style to us, they are exceptional at transferring their balls and their finishing is top notch but we will aim to nullify this and win our one-on-one battles. We are as good as any team playing this tournament so we will give it our all when we step out on the field as these are crucial matches for us.”

Australia have had more favourable results in the recent past against India including the 3-0 win in the Bhubaneswar leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 earlier this month but the Indian Women’s Hockey Team will look to replicate their 1-0 win over Australia in the 2020 Olympics Quarter-Final when they take them on at Rourkela on Saturday night.

On the other hand, the Indian Women’s Hockey Team has beaten the United States of America on four out of the last six occasions that the two teams have faced including the 3-1 victory on 9th February during the Bhubaneswar leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24.

The Indian Women’s Hockey Team will face Australia at 1930hrs IST on 17th February and the United States of America on 18th February at 1930hrs IST.

All matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 will be streamed on JioCinema, additionally, all India matches will be telecast on Sports18 – Khel.

by Abhishek Shukla

Indian Men’s Hockey Team goes down 4-6 against Australia in a thrilling encounter

Bhubaneswar, 15th February 2024: The Indian Men’s Hockey Team went down 4-6 against Australia in their third FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 match at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Thursday.

In a game that swung both ways, Australia took the early double-goal lead, then India replied with as many as four goals in the second quarter, but the visitors got the better of the home side as they scripted a thrilling comeback in the second half.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh (12′, 20′) netted twice, while Sukhjeet Singh (18′) and Mandeep Singh (29′) scored a goal each for India. Meanwhile, for Australia, Blake Govers scored two goals in the 2nd minute, and Aran Zalewski (40′), Lachlan Sharp (52′), Jacob Anderson (55′) and Jack Welch (58′) scored a goal each in what was a goal-fest. 

Australia rocketed to a double-goal lead inside the first two minutes of the match, courtesy of Govers’s quick-fire brace. The first goal came in through a penalty corner, while the second from a blistering counterattack, finding the back of the net with a fiery field goal.

The visitors kept piling intense pressure on the hosts and earned as many as three penalty corners in quick succession, but the Indian defence managed to avert the danger.

The latter phase of the opening quarter saw an improved performance from India. They approached with a structured attack and made significant forays inside the Australian circle. A foul on Sumit by Ky Willot inside the circle gave India their first penalty corner, and Harmanpreet made no mistake in pulling a goal back for the hosts as he powered the ball into the net, making it 1-2 in the 12th minute.

The second quarter saw India turn the tables as they dominated the proceedings. Sukhjeet took the shot on target but was denied by the Aussie goalkeeper. India then missed converting a penalty corner, but still managed to score on a quick long corner retake. Harmanpreet made a skilful run inside the circle, playing it to Sukhjeet who slotted the ball home in front of the goalpost, bringing things back on level terms in the 18th minute.

Two minutes later, India were 3-2 ahead as Harmanpreet converted yet another penalty corner. They again had a penalty corner, but the Aussie goalkeeper made the double save, denying Jugraj’s drag-flick and Araijeet’s tomahawk on the rebound.

Australia quickly replied and were awarded a penalty corner in the 24th minute, but the decision was overturned following a successful video referral from India.

The home side kept making forays on the quick counterattacks. Harmanpreet played a blazing pass from the midfield to Mandeep, who received the ball on the top of the circle and turned quickly to smash the ball into the net, giving India a 4-2 lead at the end of what was a breathtaking second quarter.

The third quarter saw Australia dominate the ball possession. They made relentless forays, forcing India to defend deep inside their circle. They were rewarded for their pressure as they pulled a goal back through Zalewski, who deflected Govers’s flick during a penalty corner routine in the 40th minute.

With less than a minute to go for the third quarter, Australia earned another penalty corner, but the local lad Amit Rohidas made a sublime save with his first rushing skills to deny the visitors from equalising.

The start of the final quarter saw both teams push each other from one end to the other in search of a goal. India did make inroads in Australia’s circle but kept losing possession in the final third.

Meanwhile, Australia caught the Indian defence off guard as they sneaked into the Indian circle and managed to equalise through Sharp who slotted the ball home from the far post after receiving a cross from Govers from the left flank. 

Three minutes later, Jake Harvie orchestrated a fine run along the goalline and played it to Anderson who found the back of the net to put Australia 5-4 ahead.

With less than three minutes for the final hooter, India removed goalkeeper Sreejesh to put an extra outfield player. Australia took advantage of it as Welch fired the ball into the empty goal to Australia’s two-goal lead. The visitors then slowed down the proceedings in the closing stage of the match to bag a thrilling 6-4 win.

India will face Ireland in their fourth match on Friday, 16th February at 1930 hrs IST.

All matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 will be streamed on JioCinema, additionally, all India matches will be telecast on Sports18 – Khel.

by Abhishek Shukla

Indian Men’s Hockey Team looks to continue momentum against Australia in FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24

Bhubaneswar, 14th February 2024: The Indian Men’s Hockey Team will look to continue their winning momentum when they take on Australia in their third match of FIH Pro League 2023/24 at Kalinga Hockey Stadium, Bhubaneswar on Thursday.

They started their season with a 4-1 win over Spain and registered a thrilling 2 – 2 (4 – 2 SO) shootout win against the defending Champions the Netherlands in their first two matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24.

Reflecting on the performance so far, Indian Men’s Hockey Team Chief Coach Craig Fulton said, “It’s been a good performance so far from the team, but there’s a lot to improve, and we are trying to make the most out of these matches. Playing back-to-back matches against top teams is always tough, but we got a good break to recover and now the focus is on the last two games of the Bhubaneswar leg.”

Australia, on the other hand, have registered two wins in two matches so far in Bhubaneswar. They began their campaign with a 4-3 win against Spain and defeated Ireland 5-0 in their second match.  

The last time India and Australia faced each other was during the previous edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League in Rourkela. It was India that got better of the Aussies, having registered a 5-4 win and a 2-2 (4 – 3 SO) shootout win in the two-legged tie. 

Fulton added, “It is surely going to be a tough match. They are coming off solid back-to-back wins. For us, there were a few learnings from the first two games, and our focus will be to improve and better our performance. We are up for the challenge and look to keep the momentum going.”

India will then take on Ireland in their last match of the Bhubaneswar leg on Friday before moving to Rourkela for the return fixtures.

India will face Australia in their third match on Thursday, 15th February at 1930 hrs IST.

All matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 will be streamed on JioCinema, additionally, all India matches will be telecast on Sports18 – Khel.

by Abhishek Shukla

Indian Women’s Hockey Team ready to take on the Netherlands in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24

Rourkela, 13th February 2024: The Indian Women’s Hockey Team will play their sixth game of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 on 14th February when they take on the Netherlands at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Rourkela.

The Indian Women’s Hockey Team has had a tough time at the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 having lost four of their five matches. After suffering a 1-2 defeat in their first match against China, the Indian Women’s Hockey team went on to lose 1-3 to the Netherlands and 0-3 to Australia before beating the United States 3-1 in their final match of the Bhubaneswar leg. In their first match of the Rourkela leg, India took the lead early in the game but China came back strongly to win the game 2-1.

“We haven’t got the results we have wanted but I believe we have what it takes to put on a good show and get a few points on our side. I think we are playing well in patches so if we can get more consistent with that, we can definitely go on to win more games,” said Indian Women’s Hockey Captain Savita.

While the World’s No.1 team the Netherlands has had the edge over the Indian Women’s Hockey Team, the latter has shown glimpses of what they’re capable of throughout the tournament. The results haven’t been in India’s favour but they will look to turn it around and go up the table when they play the Dutch on Wednesday.

The Indian Women’s Hockey Team Chief Coach Janneke Schopman said, “The Netherlands is a quality side but we are not short on talent or ability. We will be patient while keeping the intensity of our hockey high and try to convert any scoring opportunities we have.”  

The Indian Women’s Hockey Team will face the Netherlands at 1930hrs IST on 14th February.

All matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 will be streamed on JioCinema, additionally, all India matches will be telecast on Sports18 – Khel.

by Abhishek Shukla

Indian Women’s Hockey Team goes down 1-2 against China in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24

Rourkela, 12th February 2024: The Indian Women’s Hockey Team started their Rourkela leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 with a 1-2 loss to China. Despite the Indian Women’s Hockey Team taking the lead, a brace from Gu Bingfeng (14’, 53’) helped China win the match 2-1.

India took the lead early in the first quarter courtesy of an extraordinary cross from Vandana Katariya and an equally remarkable finish from Sangita Kumari (7’). Both the teams maintained their tempo and were awarded multiple penalty corners. While India wasn’t able to convert any of their three penalty corner opportunities, China made full use of their second one as Gu Bingfeng (14’) equalized with a little over a minute left in the first quarter.

China enjoyed greater possession of the ball in the second quarter but the Indian defence was resilient in not allowing the Chinese to connect the dots and take the lead. With about ten minutes left in the second quarter, China were awarded a penalty corner but Indian Captain and goalkeeper Savita made a good save. The Indian Women’s Hockey Team immediately broke into a counterattack and found themselves with an opportunity to score courtesy of another penalty corner. However, the Chinese defence didn’t let up as the half ended with both teams still having one goal apiece.

China was awarded a penalty corner early in the third quarter but a referral from a vigilant Neha Goyal led to that decision being reversed as the ball had hit the shin of Chinese player Huang Haiyan. India kept good control of the ball in the third quarter while the Chinese played deep inside their own half preventing the Indians from breaking through their defence. The stalemate continued with neither team finding the back of the net in the third quarter.

Both teams came close to taking the lead on numerous occasions but it was China who struck their second goal after being awarded a penalty stroke. GU Bingfeng (53’) stepped up to take the penalty stroke and made no mistake as the Chinese had their noses in front with about seven minutes left on the clock. India were awarded two successive penalty corners in the 55th minute but the Chinese defence kept the ball out in both instances. China held onto their slender lead of one goal as they went on to win the match 2-1.

The Indian Women’s Hockey Team will next take on the Netherlands at 1930hrs IST on 14th February.

All matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 will be streamed on JioCinema, additionally, all India matches will be telecast on Sports18 – Khel.

by Abhishek Shukla

India beat defending Champions Netherlands 2-2 (4-2) in a thrilling shootout

Bhubaneswar, 11th February 2024: Ace goalkeeper PR Sreejesh’s heroics in the shootout saw India pull off a thrilling 4-2 shootout win against the defending Champions the Netherlands in their second match of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Sunday.

Sreejesh made two stunning saves in the shootout, while Harmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Upadhyay and Shamsher Singh converted their chances to help India bag a bonus point.

Hardik Singh (13′) and Harmanpreet Singh (58′) scored a goal each for India, while Jip Janssen (30′) and Koen Bijen (39′) got on the scoresheet for the Dutch in what was a thrilling 2-2 draw in regulation time.

The World No. 1 team was quick to get off the blocks and made attacking runs inside India’s circle in the opening minutes of the game. They took various shots on target, but Indian goalie Krishan B Pathak stood tall to deny the Dutch from taking the early lead.

India, on the other hand, took some time to settle in. Their first real chance came in the 12th minute, when they won back-to-back penalty corners, but couldn’t capitalise on it.

In the following minute, India broke the deadlock through Hardik from an open play. The midfielder made a stunning run down the right flank before playing it to Sukhjeet, who passed it back to Hardik. Hardik then skilfully slotted the ball into the net from an acute angle, giving India a 1-0 lead at the end of the opening quarter.

India started the second quarter brightly and enjoyed the ball possession, but couldn’t create much of a danger. They yet again earned back-to-back penalty corners but the Dutch denied the hosts from doubling the lead.

The visitors earned their first penalty corner in the 25th minute but missed out on converting it. However, they continued with the same attacking intent and were rewarded with yet another penalty corner in the dying seconds of the first half. Janssen made no mistake as he hammered the ball into the bottom corner, making it 1-1 at the half-time.

It was a cagey start to the second half, with both teams cautiously controlling the ball in the midfield and not giving away much space. However, the latter phase of the third quarter saw the Netherlands drawing a soft penalty corner. Pathak saved Jasper Brinkman’s drag-flick, but Bijen was at the right place, at the right time, to slot the ball home on the rebound, putting the Dutch 2-1 in the 39th minute.

With less than 30 seconds to go in the third quarter, the Netherlands had yet another penalty corner, but India survived the danger.

A thrilling start to the final quarter saw both teams creating goalscoring opportunities. While the Dutch missed out on converting their penalty corners, India kept missing the target in the striking circle.

India mounted relentless pressure on the Dutch and were presented with back-to-back penalty corners in the 55th minute, but couldn’t avail the opportunities.

With less than three minutes to go for the final hooter, India removed their goalkeeper to put an extra outfield player. They then took a video referral for a deliberate push from the Dutch defender and were rewarded with a penalty corner. Harmanpreet, playing his 200th match, stepped up and slotted the ball home to bring things back on level terms.

Sreejesh, who was called back into the field, made some scintillating saves in the dying seconds as the Dutch gave their all, but couldn’t find a goal, ending the regulation time in a 2-2 stalemate.

India will take on Australia in their third match on Thursday, 15th February at 1930 hrs IST.

All matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 will be streamed on JioCinema, additionally, all India matches will be telecast on Sports18 – Khel.

by Abhishek Shukla

Hockey India congratulates Harmanpreet Singh on completing 200 international caps

Bhubaneswar, 11th February 2024: Hockey India congratulated Harmanpreet Singh on completing 200 International Caps when India took on the Netherlands in their second match of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

Harmanpreet Singh, the Captain of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team made his debut in 2015 and has been a pivotal part of the Indian defence ever since. He won the Gold medal with the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team at the 2015 Men’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup in Malaysia later that year as well as the Gold in the 2016 Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup.

This was followed by a Silver medal for the deft defender with the Indian Men’s Hockey Team in the 2016 Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy in London. He then went on to win the Gold medal with the Indian Team in the 2017 Men’s Hockey Asia Cup in Dhaka, Bangladesh before helping India finish in third place at the 2016-17 Men’s FIH Hockey World League.

Harmanpreet, in 2018, won the Silver medal with the Indian Team at the Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy in Breda, Netherlands, the Bronze medal at the Asian Games in Jakarta and the Gold at the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat, Oman.

Harmanpreet, who was part of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team that finished eighth in the 2016 Rio Olympics, won his first Olympic medal in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan as the Indian Team finished in third place. He then went on to win another Bronze medal, this time at the 2021 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy in Dhaka. The Indian Men’s Hockey Team won the Silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, England with Harmanpreet playing a significant role. He won the Gold medal with the Indian team at the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy held in Chennai before winning yet another Gold medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou later that year, which is his most recent achievement.

The 28-year-old Indian Men’s Hockey Team Skipper, when asked about his monumental achievement, said, “It is indeed a great honour to be able to represent India in 200 international matches. I am incredibly grateful to my family, friends, teammates and support staff for the amount of love and support they have given me. I will continue to do my best every time I step onto the field and give it my all.”

Congratulating Harmanpreet on achieving this milestone, Hockey India President Dr Dilip Tirkey said, “A hearty congratulations to Harmanpreet on representing India in 200 matches. He has made everyone proud with the efforts he puts into this game and deserves all the accolades that come his way. It is a matter of great joy to have such an individual serve our country and this game tirelessly for years together and we are sure that he will continue to do so for years to come.”

by Abhishek Shukla

Indian Men’s Hockey Team begins FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 season with 4-1 over Spain

Bhubaneswar, 10th February 2024: The Indian Men’s Hockey Team started their FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 season with a dominant 4-1 over Spain in their opening match held on Saturday at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium, Bhubaneswar.

Harmanpreet Singh (7′, 20′) starred with a brace, while Jugraj Singh (24′) and Lalit Upadhyay (50′) scored a goal each to help India seal a 4-1 win in their opening match of the season. Spanish Captain Marc Miralles (34′) was the lone goalscorer for the visitors.

Both teams were cautious in their approach, as they focused on maintaining their structure, with accurate passes in the midfield. It was India who came up with the first real attack as Hardik Singh made a stunning run from the right flank to draw the first penalty corner, which was duly converted by Harmanpreet with a fiery low drag-flick, making it 1-0 in the 7th minute.

Although Spain had better ball possession, India were disciplined in the defence. They did not allow the visitors to create spaces and ended the opening quarter with a narrow 1-0 lead.

In their bid to score an equaliser, Spain started the second quarter brightly. They created a couple of goalscoring opportunities, and also had a penalty corner, but Indian goalie PR Sreejesh stood tall to deny visitors from equalising.

India immediately responded as they had as many as three back-to-back penalty corners, with the third one being rewarded into a penalty stroke. Harmanpreet once again stepped up and slotted the ball home with ease, making it 2-0 for the hosts in the 20th minute.

India rode on the momentum as they extended their lead through Jugraj’s low drag-flick that went through Spanish goalie Luis Calzado’s legs, making it 3-0 in the 24th minute.

With less than two minutes to go for the first half, Spain earned their second penalty corner of the match, but missed out on converting it. They also made forays inside India’s circle in the dying seconds, but the home side survived the danger, ending the first half with a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Spain upped their ante and started the third quarter aggressively. They piled pressure on the Indian defence, and a stick tackle by Gurjant Singh gave away a penalty stroke to the visitors in the 34th minute. Miralles made no mistake in pulling a goal back for Spain as he slotted the ball into the top right corner of the goal.

The latter phase of the third quarter saw some end-to-end action, with both teams looking for spaces inside each other’s halves. India had their seventh penalty corner, but Jugraj’s drag-flick was off target.

Spain came out all guns blazing in the final quarter. They were relentless in their pursuit, and made dangerous runs inside, but Indian defence led by Sreejesh kept the visitors away from the goal.

India went on to add the fourth goal on the counter-attack. Sukhjeet orchestrated a fine run on the left, playing the ball to his teammate from the top of the circle. However, the deflection from Spanish defenders fell to Lalit, who was at the right place, at the right time, and hammered the ball into the nets through a reverse flick in the 50th minute.

Spain, on the other hand, had a glorious opportunity to pull a goal back in the 56th minute, but missed out on converting yet another penalty corner.

With less than two minutes to go for the final hooter, India were down to 10 men as Gurjant Singh was given the yellow card. Spain could make much of it as India ran down the clock to seal a comfortable 4-1 win. 

India will take on the defending Champions the Netherlands in their second match on  Sunday, 11th February.
 

All matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 will be streamed on JioCinema, additionally, all India matches will be telecast on Sports18 – Khel.

by Abhishek Shukla

Hockey India congratulates Manpreet Singh on completing 350 international caps

Bhubaneswar, 10th February 2024: Hockey India congratulated Manpreet Singh on completing 350 International Caps when India took on Spain in their first match of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

Manpreet Singh hails from Punjab – a state known for producing top-quality hockey players for the country. Manpreet, a midfielder recognized for his agility, made his debut for the Indian Men’s Hockey Team in 2011 at the age of 19. He was a part of the Indian squad that won the 2011 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy held in Ordos, China as well as the squad that won the Silver medal in the 2013 Men’s Hockey Asia Cup in Malaysia. Manpreet also won the Gold medal with the Indian team at the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea.

Manpreet won the Silver medal with the Indian Team at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Bronze medal in the 2014-15 Men’s FIH Hockey World League. This was followed by Silver medals in the 2016 South Asian Games in Guwahati and the 2016 Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy in London. He then went on to win the Gold medal with the Indian Team in the 2017 Men’s Hockey Asia Cup in Dhaka, Bangladesh before helping India finish in third place at the 2016-17 Men’s FIH Hockey World League.

The year 2018 saw the now 31-year-old win the Silver medal with the Indian Team at the Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy in Breda, Netherlands, the Bronze medal at the Asian Games in Jakarta and the Gold at the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat, Oman.

Manpreet won his first Olympic medal in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan as the Indian Team finished in third place and won another Bronze medal at the 2021 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy in Dhaka. The Indian Men’s Hockey Team won the Silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, England with Manpreet playing a crucial role. He won the Gold medal with the Indian team at the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy held in Chennai before winning yet another Gold medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou later that year.

When asked about the colossal achievement, Manpreet said, “I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity of representing my country in 350 matches. It’s great to be playing a match of such significance at home in front of our fellow countrymen. I would like to thank my family, friends and support staff for their unwavering support throughout this journey. I am truly blessed to have had such great backing and I hope to continue to do justice to their efforts.”

Congratulating Manpreet on achieving this milestone, Hockey India President Dr Dilip Tirkey said, “350 international matches is no mean feat. It takes a lot of grit and determination to be able to continuously deliver for the country for over a decade. Manpreet is an invaluable player to the Indian team and we congratulate him on reaching great heights in this game. We wish him continued success as he continues to inspire many people across all walks of life.”

by Abhishek Shukla

Indian Women’s Hockey Team goes down 0-3 against Australia in FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24

Bhubaneswar, 7th February 2024: The Indian Women’s Hockey Team registered a 0-3 defeat against Australia in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 at Kalinga Hockey Stadium, Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. Australia’s Captain Grace Stewart (19’), Tatum Stewart (23’), and Kaitlin Nobbs (55’) were the goalscorers on the day.

India started the match on the front foot, forcing Australia to concede a penalty corner in the second minute of the game but Australia’s goalkeeper Zoe Newman was on her toes to avert any danger. Both teams went on to create significant goalscoring chances in the next couple of minutes but were unable to find the final touch. Australia piled on the pressure as the first quarter came to a close but the Indian defence stood firm.

As India continued to search for a goal in the second quarter Australia initiated a counter through Kaitlin Nobbs who found herself open in the shooting circle and passed to Grace Stewart who tapped the ball in to score the first goal of the game. India tried to create chances but were unable to stitch together the final pass. Soon after, Australia looked to hurt India with a quick counter through Amy Lawton but her reverse shot was battered away by Bichu Devi Kharibam. Halfway through the second quarter Australia earned a penalty corner and a drag flick by Tatum Stewart doubled Australia’s lead in the game. India pegged Australia back as the first half was drawing to a close and earned two penalty corners but failed to capitalise on either of them and the scoreline remained 2-0.

The hockeyroos were happy to sit back and absorb the pressure in the third quarter as India struggled to find a chink in their armour. India had the opportunity to score through a penalty corner in the last minute of the quarter but Udita slapped the ball wide and Australia retained their two-goal lead.

India stepped up their press in the last quarter and were awarded a penalty corner two minutes in but India attempted a variation and Udita’s shot sailed wide of the post again. A few minutes later Mumtaz Khan swiveled to draw a foul in the shooting circle but the penalty corner was frantic and India failed to convert. Australia further increased their lead in the game as Kaitlin Nobbs rolled the ball through Savita’s leg to make it 3-0 with five minutes left in the game. As the game drew to a close Navneet attempted a shot on goal but the keeper remained alert in goal and the match ended 3-0 in Australia’s favour.

India will take on the United States next at 1930 hrs on 9th February.

All matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 will be streamed on JioCinema, additionally, all India matches will be telecast on Sports18 – Khel.

by Abhishek Shukla

Australian Men’s Hockey Team arrives in Bhubaneswar for FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24

Bhubaneswar, 6th February 2024: The Australian Men’s Hockey Team landed in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday to begin their FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 campaign. The hockeyroos finished 7th in the previous campaign with 19 points.

The FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 (Men) is scheduled to take place at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar from 10th February to 16th February, before moving to the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, where the league will continue from 19th February to 25th February. Five national teams – Ireland, The Netherlands, India, Spain, and Australia – will participate in the India leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 (Men), facing each other once in Bhubaneswar and once in Rourkela.

Australia will take on Spain in their first match of the season on 11th February, followed by a clash with Ireland on 13th February. They will take on hosts India on 15th February, before they face the Netherlands in the last match of the Bhubaneswar leg on 16th February.

Australia’s goalkeeper Andrew Charter commented on the importance of the Pro League saying, “Preparations have been pretty good, we have been working really hard on our conditioning, we just had a little break over Christmas and we are feeling confident coming in. This mini-tournament is enormous for us primarily for the Paris 2024 Olympics; we want to use this as an opportunity to train a lot of our structures, test new things and get some experience to our younger team members. So, this is really valuable for us. And we’re putting a lot of importance on it.”

“Everyone’s going to be hard to play against, but Holland are looking pretty good right now. So I think our two games against Holland are going to be a really good test and India with the home support in Bhubaneswar is always going to be hard. The crowd’s going to be massive. So we’re looking forward to it,” he added when asked about the other teams in the league.

All matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 will be streamed on JioCinema, additionally, all India matches will be telecast on Sports18 – Khel.

by Abhishek Shukla

Box Office ticket sales commence for the Rourkela leg of FIH Pro League 2023/24 matches

Bhubaneswar, 6th February 2024: The Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneshwar has witnessed some scintillating matches in the FIH Pro League 2023/24 so far. With the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela also scheduled to witness the Indian Hockey Teams in action against some of the best teams in the world soon, Hockey India will begin the sale of offline tickets for the Rourkela leg of FIH Pro League 2023/24 on 8th February.

Starting Thursday, the offline tickets for North Stand and East Stand will be on sale at Gate No. 2 of the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium while the tickets for West Stand and South Stand will be sold at Gate No. 6 between 11.00 AM and 6.00 PM. The tickets for the West Stand and East Stand are priced at Rs.500 and Rs.200 respectively. Meanwhile, North Stand and South Stand tickets are priced at Rs.100.

The Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium will host 10 matches of the Women’s teams from 12th February to 18th February, followed by 10 matches of the Men’s teams from 19th February to 25th February. The Women’s teams participating in the mini-tournament are the United States of America, China, the Netherlands, Australia, and India and the Men’s teams that would be participating are the Netherlands, Spain, Australia, Ireland, and India. Each team is scheduled to compete against each other once in this mini-tournament being held in Rourkela.

Commenting on the launch of the sale of physical tickets Dr. Dilip Tirkey, Hockey India President said, “Pro League action is set to continue in the state-of-the-art Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela and I am certain that the matches there will be just as entertaining. I implore hockey fans to turn up in droves and support the Indian Hockey Teams as they take on the best teams in the world.”

Details of the tickets for sale are as under for all days:

STANDSTICKET PRICE PER DAY (Rs.)
West Stand First FloorRs.500/-
East Stand First FloorRs.200/-
North Stand First FloorRs.100/-
South Stand First FloorRs.100/-

Earlier, Hockey India announced online ticket sales for all the Women’s and Men’s matches in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. Fans can avail of the match tickets from www.ticketgenie.in, and there will be no need for redemption for physical tickets of online purchases.

All matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 will be streamed on JioCinema, additionally, all India matches will be telecast on Sports18 – Khel.

by Abhishek Shukla

Spain Men’s Hockey Team arrives in Bhubaneswar for FIH Men’s Hockey Pro League matches

Bhubaneswar, 5th February 2024: TheWorld No. 8 Spain Men’s Hockey Team arrived at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on Monday ahead of their FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 matches in India.

The FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 (Men) is scheduled to take place at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar from 10th February to 16th February, before moving to the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, where the league will continue from 19th February to 25th February. Five national teams – Ireland, The Netherlands, India, Spain and Australia – will participate in the India leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 (Men), facing each other once in Bhubaneswar and once in Rourkela.

Spain will play their first match of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 (Men) on 10th February against hosts India, followed by a contest against Australia, on 11th February. They will then take on Netherlands, the World No.1 ranked team, on 13th February and Ireland on 15th February in their final fixture in the Bhubaneswar leg before heading to Rourkela.

When asked about the importance of the tournament after having landed in Bhubaneswar, Spain’s Captain Marc Miralles said, “It is a crucial tournament for us. We just qualified for the Olympics a couple of weeks ago. It’s important for us to play our eight games really well to have as many points as possible.”

When asked about the toughest side, Marc Miralles said, “We played a really tough game against Ireland in the Olympic qualifiers. The Netherlands are the defending champions, and India is playing at home, so I think we’re going to have some fun games.”

He signed off by saying, “We are in good shape having played the Olympic qualifiers recently. We’ve trained well in the gym and are ready for the challenge.”

All matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 will be streamed on JioCinema, additionally, all India matches will be telecast on Sports18 – Khel.

by Abhishek Shukla

Debutants Ireland aims dream start as they arrive in Bhubaneswar for FIH Men’s Hockey Pro League matches

Bhubaneswar, 04 February 2024: Ireland Men’s Hockey Team arrived at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on Sunday ahead of their debut in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24.  

The World No. 11 side will face the defending Champions the Netherlands, Australia, Spain and the hosts India in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 India leg, scheduled to take place in Bhubaneswar (10th to 16th February) and Rourkela (19th-25th February). 

Led by Sean Murray, Ireland will begin their campaign against the Netherlands on 10th February followed by matches against Australia, Spain and home side India on 13th, 15th and 16th February respectively at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium, Bhubaneswar. They will then play the return fixtures at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Rourkela from the 19th to 25th February. 

“It’s been a long journey, but it’s great to be in India. We are just coming off the FIH Olympic Qualifiers in Valencia, so looking forward to getting our debut FIH Pro League campaign started,” Murray said upon the team’s arrival in Bhubaneswar.

Ireland have made remarkable strides in recent years. They secured their berth at the Pro League 2023/24 season on the back of their Silver medal win at the inaugural FIH Hockey Nations Cup held in 2022. They then went on to clinch Gold at the EuroHockey Championship II in 2023, and finished third at the recently held FIH Paris Olympic Qualifier in Spain, sealing their spot at the upcoming quadrennial Games scheduled to be held later this year.

“We will go out every game with an aim to win. Of course, it is going to be tough against some of the top teams in the world, but this is exactly where we want to be,” the Ireland Captain stated. 

On being asked about the toughest opponents on the tour, he added: “We are looking forward to all the games, but especially playing against India at their home is going to be a special occasion.” 
 

All matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 will be streamed on JioCinema, additionally, all India matches will be telecast on Sports18 – Khel.

by Abhishek Shukla

Indian Women’s Hockey Team goes down 1-3 against the Netherlands in FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24

Bhubaneswar, 4th February 2024: The Indian Women’s Hockey Team lost 1-3 against the Netherlands in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 at Kalinga Hockey Stadium, Bhubaneswar on Sunday. Netherlands’ Yibbi Jansen (3’, 34’) and Fay van der Elst (21’) etched their name on the scoresheet. Meanwhile, Navneet Kaur (9‘) scored the only goal for India.

India’s goalkeeper Savita was called to action right from the get-go, saving successive shots at her goal. Soon after, the Netherlands were awarded a penalty corner and this season’s leading goalscorer, Yibbi Jansen, powered a shot down the middle of the goal to grant the Netherlands an early lead. As the Netherlands looked to sit back and absorb the pressure, an Indian counter-attack caught them by surprise. Sunelita Toppo ventured down the right wing and found Navneet Kaur at the top of the shooting circle who turned around and unleashed a thunderous strike that brought India back on level terms.

The Netherlands came close to scoring as the second quarter began when Pien Dicke dodged past the Indian defence but her shot hit the post and deflected away. India went on to create a goalscoring chance of their own as Sunelita found herself in acres of space, and picked out Vandana Katariya who was one-on-one with the Netherlands’ goalkeeper Josine Koning, but she rushed out to diffuse the situation. India continued to look for a chink in Netherlands’ armour but Laura Nunnink initiated a counterattack and sprayed a quick pass to Fay van der Elst who dove to deflect the ball past Savita and restored Netherlands’ lead. Both teams went on to earn a couple of penalty corners but the scoreline remained 2-1 at the end of the first half.

The Netherlands piled pressure on India in the third quarter, eventually earning a penalty corner and Yibbi Jansen let loose a powerful drag flick to beat Savita and make it 3-1. They were awarded another penalty corner soon after however; Savita battered away the shot on goal. As India searched for a goal they occasionally pushed the Netherlands back into their own half but were unable to stitch together the final pass.

The fourth quarter witnessed the game become stretched with both teams creating back-to-back chances. India went on to earn a penalty corner two minutes into the quarter but the Netherlands’ defence held sway. As the exchange of chances continued, Yibbi Jansen looked to extend Netherlands’ lead with a reverse shot from the top of the shooting circle but it bounced off the post again. Netherlands pegged India back as the quarter progressed but a quick counter saw India earn a penalty corner. However, Udita’s slap sailed just wide of the post. The last period of play saw the Netherlands keep hold of the ball to kill off the game and the contest ended 3-1 in their favour.

India will take on Australia next at 1930 hrs on 7th February.

All matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 will be streamed on JioCinema, additionally, all India matches will be telecast on Sports18 – Khel.

by Abhishek Shukla

Hockey India congratulates Neha on completing 150 international caps

Bhubaneswar, 4th February 2024: Hockey India congratulated Neha on completing 150 International Caps when India took on the Netherlands in their second match of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

Neha, the 27-year-old from, is a midfielder for the Indian Women’s Hockey team and has done immense justice to her role. Having made her debut in 2014, Neha was a part of the squad that won the Gold in the 2016 South Asian Games that took place in Guwahati, India. She was also part of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team when they struck Gold at the 2017 Women’s Hockey Asia Cup in Gifu, Japan where they beat China in the finals.

The nimble midfielder played a significant role in the team that won the Silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and was also a part of the squad that finished second in the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy at Donghae. Neha represented India at the 2018 Women’s Hockey World Cup in London where the team finished eighth and was also in the team that finished fourth in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Neha was also a part of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team when they narrowly missed out on a medal as they finished fourth in the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Her contribution was crucial in India winning the Bronze medal at the 2022 Women’s Hockey Asia Cup held in Muscat, Oman. The 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England saw the Indian Women’s Hockey Team finishing in third place after beating New Zealand in the Bronze medal match and Neha was a part of the squad.  

In December 2022, Neha was a part of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team that beat the host nation Spain in the Women’s FIH Hockey Nations Cup finals at Valencia to win the Gold medal. She was also a part of the squad that won the Bronze medal in the Asian Games in Hangzhou that ended in October 2023. Winning the Gold medal with the Indian Women’s Hockey Team at the 2023 Women’s Asian Champions Trophy at Ranchi, Jharkhand was Neha’s most recent achievement.

When asked about the tremendous achievement, she said, “I am truly honoured that I have had the opportunity to represent the country in 150 matches. It has come with its fair share of challenges but I’m glad I have been able to push through it all. I owe a special thanks to my family, friends, teammates and support staff. They will always hold a special place in my heart for all the support they have given me over the years.”

Congratulating Neha on achieving this milestone, Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey said, “This is a huge achievement for Neha and we are extremely happy for and proud of her. Being able to sustain oneself for so long takes a different level of effort and commitment and I’m sure she’s only going to grow from strength to strength and continue to serve the Indian Women’s Hockey Team with unmatched dedication.”