Hyderabad Toofans showcased resilience and tactical maturity to script a memorable 3–2 comeback victory over Ranchi Royals in a gripping Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2025–26 encounter at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, Egmore, on Wednesday.
After trailing 0–2 at halftime following a brace from Tom Boon, the Toofans turned the contest on its head through second-half strikes from Amandeep Lakra, Nic Woods, and Talwinder Singh. The match began with Hyderabad Toofans asserting early control, dominating possession and dictating the tempo in the opening exchanges. Their structured build-up and patient ball circulation kept Ranchi Royals pinned back for long periods, but the Royals remained disciplined defensively, opting to sit deep and look for opportunities on the counter.
Despite seeing less of the ball, Ranchi Royals struck first. In the 11th minute, they earned successive penalty corners, and Tom Boon made full use of the opportunity. His drag-flick from the second set piece was clinical, beating the goalkeeper cleanly to give the Royals a lead against the run of play. Hyderabad responded by earning a couple of penalty corners towards the end of the first quarter, but the finishing touch eluded them as the Royals held on to their slender advantage.
The second quarter brought further frustration for the Toofans. Just minutes in, Boon struck again in the 17th minute, producing a moment of individual brilliance. Latching on to a loose ball inside the circle, he delicately lifted a high effort over the onrushing goalkeeper to double Ranchi’s lead and put the Royals firmly in control.
To their credit, Hyderabad Toofans did not lose composure. They ramped up the pressure significantly, recording nine circle entries in the second quarter alone. However, despite probing the Royals’ defense and earning a penalty corner, they struggled to convert territorial dominance into a clear shot on target. Ranchi’s compact defensive shape and timely interceptions ensured the first half ended with the Royals holding a 2–0 cushion.
The complexion of the match changed decisively after the break. Hyderabad emerged for the third quarter with greater urgency, injecting more pace and width into their attack. Ranchi Royals, meanwhile, dropped deeper into a low defensive block, focusing on protecting their lead rather than pressing higher up the field.
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The Toofans’ persistence finally paid off in the 42nd minute when Amandeep Lakra converted from a penalty corner with a well-executed drag-flick, pulling a goal back and breathing new life into the contest. The goal visibly lifted Hyderabad, and they continued to press with renewed belief.
Just three minutes later, parity was restored. Nic Woods found himself in the right place at the right time inside the circle and finished calmly in the 45th minute to make it 2–2. The equalizer capped a dominant spell for Hyderabad and set the stage for a tense final quarter. With momentum firmly on their side, Hyderabad Toofans pushed for a winner in the last 15 minutes. Ranchi Royals stuck to their counter-attacking approach, attempting to exploit spaces left behind as Hyderabad committed more players forward. While the Royals did threaten sporadically, they struggled to regain the control they had enjoyed in the first half.
The decisive moment arrived in the 57th minute. Sustained pressure from Hyderabad eventually forced a breakthrough, with Talwinder Singh showing composure inside the circle to slot home the winning goal. The strike completed a remarkable turnaround and sent the Toofans’ bench into celebration. In the closing minutes, Hyderabad managed the game intelligently, slowing the tempo and denying Ranchi any clear opportunities to force an equalizer. The final whistle confirmed a hard-earned 3–2 victory for the runners-up from last season, underlining their fighting spirit and ability to adapt under pressure.
The win not only earned Hyderabad Toofans three valuable points but also reinforced their credentials as serious contenders in the 2025–26 Hero Hockey India League. Ranchi Royals, meanwhile, were left to rue a second-half retreat that allowed their opponents back into the contest.
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All matches of the Hero Hockey India League are broadcast live on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3 and DD Sports, with live streaming available on Waves and the Hockey India League YouTube channel.
