Captain Harmanpreet Singh once again proved decisive as JSW Soorma Hockey Club edged past Hyderabad Toofans 3–1 in a shootout after a tightly contested 1–1 draw in regulation time in the Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2025–26 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium on Friday.
In a match defined by defensive discipline, goalkeeping excellence, and nerve in pressure moments, Soorma claimed the bonus point to strengthen their position in the league standings.
The contest began at a high tempo, with both sides looking to assert early control through aggressive circle penetration. JSW Soorma Hockey Club made a proactive start, pressing high and earning the first penalty corner of the match in the third minute. Harmanpreet Singh stepped up, but his dragflick was well read by the first rusher, denying Soorma an early breakthrough. Undeterred, Soorma continued to pile on the pressure, forcing Hyderabad goalkeeper Bikramjit Singh into action with two sharp saves in quick succession.
Hyderabad Toofans responded with intent of their own, winning three consecutive penalty corners in the eighth minute. However, Soorma’s defensive unit held firm, with disciplined running and sharp stick work ensuring the goal remained protected. The opening quarter ended goalless, but the exchanges hinted at a fiercely competitive contest to follow.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the second quarter. In the 20th minute, JSW Soorma Hockey Club was awarded another penalty corner, and this time Harmanpreet made no mistake. The Indian captain unleashed a low, driven drag flick that skidded into the bottom left corner of the goal, giving Soorma a deserved 1–0 lead. The goal settled Soorma into a rhythm, and they controlled possession and tempo for the remainder of the quarter, denying Toofans clear scoring opportunities as they went into halftime with a slender advantage.
Hyderabad emerged with renewed urgency in the third quarter. In the 34th minute, Amandeep Lakra came close to drawing his side level, but his powerful flick from a penalty corner drifted narrowly wide. Moments later, Soorma earned a penalty corner at the other end, with Jeremy Hayward stepping up to take the attempt. Bikramjit Singh, however, was equal to the challenge once again, producing a brilliant save to keep Hyderabad within touching distance.
The pressure eventually told in the final quarter. Hyderabad Toofans were awarded a crucial penalty corner early in the period, and Amandeep Lakra rose to the occasion. In the 46th minute, he delivered a thunderous dragflick that beat Vincent Vanasch to restore parity and reignite the contest. The equalizer injected fresh energy into the match, with Toofans sensing an opportunity to push for a winner.
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Hyderabad continued to attack in waves. In the 54th minute, Devindar Walmiki produced an incisive pass from the right flank into the circle, where Tim Brand’s deft deflection went agonizingly close to the target. Shortly after, Arshdeep Singh showcased excellent control inside the circle before unleashing a backhanded effort, only to be denied by a strong save from Vanasch, who stood tall in goal for Soorma during the closing stages.
Despite late pressure from Hyderabad, neither side could find a decisive goal in regulation time, sending the match into a shootout. It was there that JSW Soorma Hockey Club showed greater composure. Harmanpreet Singh and Nicolas Keenan converted their attempts with confidence, while Vanasch made key saves to tilt the balance firmly in Soorma’s favor.
The shootout took a dramatic turn when Hyderabad goalkeeper Bikramjit Singh was penalized for a stick-check during Nicolas della Torre’s attempt, resulting in a penalty stroke. Harmanpreet Singh stepped up once more, calmly converting the stroke to cap off an influential performance and seal a 3–1 shootout victory for JSW Soorma Hockey Club.
The result underlined Soorma’s resilience and leadership under pressure, with Harmanpreet’s contributions at both ends proving decisive. For Hyderabad Toofans, the match offered positives in terms of defensive organization and attacking intent, but they were left to rue missed chances and the fine margins that ultimately separated the two sides.
All matches of the Hero Hockey India League are being broadcast live on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3 and DD Sports, with live streaming also available on Waves and the Hockey India League YouTube channel.
