After a 4-4 draw over the four quarters, Ranchi Royals emerged victorious over HIL GC, beating them 4-1 in shootout in a thrilling Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) clash at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Monday. With the two points earned, Royals moved ahead of HIL GC on the points table into second place.
Araijeet Singh Hundal (19′, 32′), Sam Lane (42′) and Tom Boon (57′) were the goalscorers for Ranchi Royals, while Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (25′, 53′), Kane Russell (36′) and Sudeep Chirmako (39′) scored the goals for HIL GC. In the shootout, Vishnukant Singh, Sam Lane, Maxime van Oost and Tom Boon scored from their attempts for the Royals.
Royals started the game strong and made consecutive circle entries in the very first minute, Mandeep Singh was through on goal but James Mazarelo of HIL GC made a crucial save to keep it level. The rest of the quarter saw HIL GC regroup and hold possession, however, they couldn’t find clear chances on goal due to the Royals’ tight defence.
The first penalty corner of the match came late in the 18th minute for HIL GC but Russell’s attempt on goal was stopped with a solid save by Royals goalkeeper Suraj Karkera. Moments later, Royals were awarded a penalty corner as well but Boon too couldn’t convert. As the game restarted, Mandeep showed incredible presence of mind to win the ball in a dangerous position, and although his shot was stopped by the goalkeeper, the ball went to Hundal on the rebound, who struck it into the empty net with ease.
In the 25th minute, HIL GC won a penalty corner again as Russell’s drag flick was initially stopped by the goalkeeper, but Lalit reached the ball in time and tapped it into the net to score the equaliser. The game opened up as both sides made several goal attempts but couldn’t be separated by the end of first half.
Two minutes into the third quarter and Royals took the lead again in a similar fashion. Mandeep unleashed a shot on goal from the middle of the circle and although his shot was stopped by Mazarelo, the ball went to Hundal again for his second. Three minutes later, HIL GC tied the game again, this time through a penalty corner which was successfully converted by the prolific New Zealand dragflicker, Russell.
For the first time in the evening, HIL GC went ahead in the contest courtesy of an impressive field goal by Chirmako in the 39th minute, however, the lead lasted merely seconds as Royals promptly found the equaliser. Jack Waller showcased strong skills to hold the ball in the circle as he lofted the ball towards goal which was deflected into the net, over the goalkeeper by Lane.
With all to play for in the final quarter, both teams showed great attacking intent in search of the winning goal. In the 47th minute, HIL GC were awarded a penalty corner but Russell’s drag flick towards goal was met by a crucial save by Karkera. Royals won a penalty corner on the other end, but their variation was denied by a save from Mazarelo.
With seven minutes left on the clock, Royals made a decisive blunder in front of their own goal as Yashdeep Siwach misplaced his pass, giving the ball away to Lalit who finished the ball into the net to reclaim the advantage. In the 57th minute, Ranchi Royals won a late penalty corner and the FIH World Player of the Year in 2005, Boon stepped up and delivered a strike into the top right corner of the goal to equalise again and push the match into a shootout.
Royals then had the perfect shootout as they defeated HIL GC 4-1 as Vishnukant Singh, Sam Lane, Maxime van Oost and Tom Boon scored from their attempts and goalkeeper Karkera stole the spotlight in goal during the shootout.
