Making a comeback after 7 long years , a lot was anticipated from the premier hockey india league
The fans however were happy to witness a close encounter to kick off the hockey india league.
DGSP VS GONASIKA
Albeit less but the crowd present at the Birsa Munda Stadium witnessed the perfect match to kick of the HIL. DGSP took the initial lead with a penalty corner conversion by argentine
Tomas Dovene but Struan Walker found the equaliser. Both teams ended 2-2 before the shoot off which saw DGSP triumph 4-2.
Hyderabad Toofans vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers
The second match saw a regular time finish with Bengal Tigers defeating Hyderabad Toofans 3-2. Jugraj, Sukhjeet and Affan Yousf were the goal scorers for Bengal Tigers whereas Timothy Daniel and Arthur De Sloover goals made a comeback for Hyderabad but couldn’t find the equaliser in dying minutes.
Soorma Hockey Club vs Tamil Nadu Dragons
The third match saw a 1-1 tie , however soorma hockey club took the bonus points in the shoot off winning 4-1. Nathan Ephraums and Gurjant Singh were the scorers from both sides.
UP Roodras vs Vedanta Kalinga Lancers
Match 4 saw the home favourites Kalinga Lancers being outplayed by UP Roodras (1-3)
The home team took the early lead thanks to Enrique Gonzalez but a heroic performance from Kane Russel helped the UP Roodras take the lead and Sudeep Chirmako sealed the deal with a third goal.
DSGP vs Hyderabad Toofans
Hockey fans were gifted with a thrilling match ending in a shootout on the New Year’s eve as DSGP losing this time (4-5) in shootout to Hyderabad Toofans after the regular time ended in 2-2
Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs Gonasika
Gonasika faced their second defeat going down 1-2 to Bengal Tigers with veteran Rupinder Pal Singh show his class scoring a brace converting a PC and a Penalty Stroke.
Soorma Hockey Club vs UP Rudras
Match 7 saw UP Rudras dominate Harmanpreet Singh led Soorma Hockey Club 3-0 thanks to goals scored by Sudip Chirmako and a trademark tomahawk from Akashdeep.
Soormas made several attempts but couldn’t break the wall in James Mazarelo.
Tamil Nadu Dragons vs Kalinga Lancers
The home team faced another loss in shoot out going down to Tamil Nadu Dragons (5-6) after stalemate in the regular time at 2-2, with german Alexander Hendrickx starring for the home side with a brace at the hockey india league
Bengal Tigers vs DGSP
Super Saturday saw a double header in the first of which Bengal Tigers swept past DGSP with a clear 4-1 win . After Sukhjeet gave the early lead Jugraj and Abhishek joined the party to demolish DGSP.
Hyderabad Toofans vs Gonasika
Team Gonasika found their winning way against Hyderabad in the second match of the double header with Nilam Xess scoring two goals including a last minute goal which sealed the match.
Noticeably Team Gonasika only conceeded 1 PC in the entire game that too in the last 3 minutes.
Points Table
Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers sit pretty at top of the points table having won 3 games followed
by Soorma Hockey Club, UP Rudras and Tamil Nadu Dragons all eyeing a spot in the Playoffs.
