Category: Hockey India League

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.