Ranchi Royals signed off their home leg of the Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2025–26 in emphatic fashion, registering their third consecutive victory with a commanding 4–1 win over JSW Soorma Hockey Club at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium on Friday.
The result propelled the Royals to third place on the points table and underlined their growing momentum as the league enters a crucial phase. A clinical first-half performance laid the foundation for the hosts, with Manmeet Singh Rai (14’) opening the scoring before Tom Boon struck twice in quick succession in the second quarter (20’, 22’). Mandeep Singh (47’) added the fourth early in the final quarter to put the contest beyond reach, while Jeetpal (52’) pulled one back for Soorma with a late consolation.
The match began at a brisk tempo, with both sides keen to assert early dominance. JSW Soorma Hockey Club enjoyed the first wave of attacking opportunities, earning three penalty corners inside the opening quarter. However, Ranchi goalkeeper Suraj Karkera stood firm, making crucial saves to deny the visitors despite their strong start. Both teams finished the first quarter with eight circle entries apiece, reflecting the even nature of the early exchanges.
Against the run of play, it was Ranchi Royals who broke the deadlock. A clever ricochet from Sam Lane found its way to Manmeet Singh Rai inside the circle, and the midfielder showed composure to guide the ball into the net in the 14th minute. The goal lifted the home side, who began to move the ball with greater fluency and stretch the Soorma defence with quick passing through midfield.
Ranchi’s growing confidence translated into a decisive spell in the second quarter. The Royals doubled their lead in the 20th minute when Lachlan Sharp’s initial effort caused confusion in the circle, allowing Tom Boon to pounce from close range. Just two minutes later, the Belgian striker struck again, converting a penalty corner with a well-executed drag-flick to give the hosts a commanding 3–0 advantage heading into half-time.
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JSW Soorma Hockey Club attempted to respond after the break by controlling possession and pushing higher up the field. They came agonisingly close to scoring when a goal-bound effort was cleared off the line by Joshua Beltz, preserving Ranchi’s three-goal cushion. While Soorma saw more of the ball in the third quarter, the Royals managed the game intelligently, controlling the tempo and creating chances of their own, including a sharp effort from Sam Lane that tested the visiting goalkeeper.
The decisive blow arrived early in the final quarter. A swift attacking move saw Araijeet Singh Hundal pick out Mandeep Singh, who rounded the goalkeeper with confidence before finishing clinically to make it 4–0 in the 47th minute. The goal reflected Ranchi’s dominance on the night and effectively sealed the contest.
To their credit, JSW Soorma Hockey Club continued to press forward and were rewarded with a goal eight minutes from time when Jeetpal found the back of the net. However, it proved to be little more than a consolation as the Royals comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to complete a thoroughly deserved victory.
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With three wins on the trot, Ranchi Royals will take confidence from a strong home leg that has reignited their campaign and placed them firmly in the playoff mix. For JSW Soorma Hockey Club, the defeat highlighted missed opportunities in the early stages and the importance of converting set-pieces against in-form opponents.
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.
