Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons opened their Men’s Hero Hockey India League campaign with a dramatic 3-3 (4-2 SO) victory over Hyderabad Toofans at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, Egmore, on Friday, securing a crucial bonus point in the very first match of the season.
In a contest marked by momentum swings, penalty corner firepower, and late defensive resilience, it was goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh who emerged as the hero in the shootout, producing two decisive saves to tilt the balance in favor of the home side.
The Dragons made a sharp, assertive start to the league, feeding off early intensity and home support. Their intent was evident from the opening minutes, with David Harte forced into action almost immediately at the other end before the Dragons struck decisively on the counter. The first penalty corner of the tournament fell to the Dragons in the fourth minute, and Uttam Singh made no mistake, reacting quickest to jab home from close range and register the opening goal of the HIL season.
Buoyed by the early breakthrough, the Dragons continued to press with purpose and doubled their lead five minutes later. Thomas Sorsby showcased composure and control as he weaved his way into the circle, calmly slotting past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0. At that point, the Dragons looked firmly in control, but Hyderabad Toofans, last season’s runners-up, responded with the authority of a seasoned side.
Their first penalty corner brought immediate dividends. Amandeep Lakra unleashed a ferocious drag-flick in the 12th minute to pull one back, swinging momentum and ensuring the contest remained finely balanced at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter saw the Toofans seize the initiative, pressing higher up the pitch and testing the Dragons’ defensive structure. That pressure paid off in the 18th minute, when Lakra struck again from another penalty corner, his second powerful conversion drawing Hyderabad level at 2-2.
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What followed was a phase of open, end-to-end hockey, with both teams willing to commit numbers forward. The midfield battle intensified, chances emerged at both ends, but neither side found the finishing touch before the interval, leaving the match delicately poised at halftime.
The Dragons regained control early in the third quarter with a well-worked team goal that underlined their attacking cohesion. Uttam Singh turned provider this time, setting up Karthi Selvam for a simple tap-in from close range in the 32nd minute, restoring the Dragons’ lead. However, Hyderabad’s response was swift and clinical. Just five minutes later, Arthur De Sloover found space at a tight angle and squeezed the ball past the defence to level the scores once more at 3-3.
The remainder of the third quarter belonged largely to the Dragons, who enjoyed sustained possession and territorial advantage. Yet Hyderabad Toofans’ defence, disciplined and compact, absorbed the pressure to ensure the scores remained locked heading into the final quarter.
With everything to play for, Hyderabad began the fourth quarter aggressively, earning penalty corners and testing the Dragons’ resolve. David Harte stood tall during this crucial phase, producing a series of important saves to deny the Toofans a decisive lead. The Dragons, too, pushed forward in search of a winner, but clear chances were at a premium as fatigue and tension crept in. Ultimately, regulation time ended with the sides inseparable, necessitating a penalty shootout to decide the winner.
The shootout proved to be the stage for Prince Deep Singh’s moment of brilliance. The Dragons’ goalkeeper read the Toofans’ shooters superbly, pulling off two key saves to swing momentum firmly in his team’s favour. At the other end, the Dragons held their nerve, with Raheel Mohammed converting the decisive effort to seal a 4-2 shootout win and the valuable bonus point.
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The result marked a confident and resilient start to the season for Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons, who showed both attacking flair and defensive grit against one of the league’s strongest sides. For Hyderabad Toofans, there were positives in their comeback and penalty corner efficiency, but they were ultimately undone by missed chances in the shootout.
All matches of the Hero Hockey India League will be 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.
