Hyderabad Toofans signed off their Men’s Hero Hockey India League 2025–26 campaign on a high, claiming the bronze medal after a pulsating 4–3 victory over HIL GC in the third-place playoff at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Monday.
In a contest that swung repeatedly and showcased the attacking depth of both sides, the Toofans produced a composed and clinical display when it mattered most to finish the season on the podium.
Amandeep Lakra emerged as the star of the night for Hyderabad, striking twice from penalty corners in the 30th and 53rd minutes, while Nilakanta Sharma and Jacob Anderson also found the back of the net. HIL GC, who had pushed the Toofans hard throughout the season, responded through a brace from Sam Ward and a late goal from Kane Russell, but it was not enough to deny Hyderabad a deserved third-place finish.
From the opening whistle, Hyderabad Toofans set the tone with an aggressive and high-tempo approach. They dominated possession in the first quarter, registering eight circle entries and repeatedly testing the HIL GC backline. Jacob Anderson, who had been one of the most lively forwards in the opening exchanges, came close to opening the scoring when he found space inside the circle late in the quarter, only to see his effort miss the target. That miss proved costly moments later as HIL GC struck against the run of play.
It was Daragh Walsh who created the breakthrough, racing down the left flank and delivering a precise pass into the circle for Sam Ward. The English striker made no mistake, calmly guiding the ball past the goalkeeper in the 14th minute to hand HIL GC a 1–0 lead. Despite being behind, the Toofans did not lose their composure and continued to apply sustained pressure.
Their persistence was rewarded midway through the second quarter. Zachary Wallace’s sharp cutback from the baseline found Nilakanta Sharma unmarked in the circle, and the Indian midfielder unleashed a thunderous tomahawk to level the scores in the 24th minute. The equaliser lifted Hyderabad’s confidence, and they finished the half strongly. Just minutes later, Amandeep Lakra stepped up from a penalty corner and produced a powerful drag-flick to beat James Mazarelo, giving the Toofans a 2–1 advantage going into the interval.
Hyderabad carried that momentum into the third quarter and quickly extended their lead. A loose ball inside the circle fell kindly for Jacob Anderson, who made amends for his earlier miss by calmly slotting home in the 33rd minute to make it 3–1. With a two-goal cushion, the Toofans looked increasingly in control, pressing high up the pitch and limiting HIL GC’s attacking opportunities.
To their credit, HIL GC refused to go away. They began to probe more aggressively in the final quarter, and their efforts paid off when Tanguy Cosyns’s hopeful pass found Sam Ward inside the circle. The striker showed his predatory instincts once again, tapping the ball past the keeper in the 52nd minute to reduce the deficit to 3–2.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
Any hopes of a dramatic comeback, however, were quickly dampened by Amandeep Lakra. The young Indian drag-flicker delivered once more from a penalty corner just a minute later, restoring Hyderabad’s two-goal lead and underlining his importance to the Toofans’ campaign. It was a moment that encapsulated his growth over the season, stepping up in a pressure situation to keep his team firmly in control.
HIL GC made one last push in the closing stages. Kane Russell converted from a penalty corner in the 55th minute to bring the score to 4–3, setting up a tense finale. The final minutes were played at a frantic pace, with HIL GC throwing bodies forward in search of an equaliser. Hyderabad, however, held their nerve, defending resolutely and managing the clock intelligently to see out the result.
The victory ensured that Hyderabad Toofans ended the season with bronze medals around their necks, a fitting reward for a side that had shown consistency and resilience throughout the campaign. It also extended their unbeaten run against HIL GC this season, further underlining their edge in this particular matchup.
For the Toofans, the bronze-medal finish is more than just a consolation prize. After narrowly missing out on a place in the final, the manner in which they regrouped and delivered a composed performance in the third-place playoff spoke volumes about their character and depth. With a blend of experienced internationals and emerging Indian talent, Hyderabad demonstrated that they remain one of the most competitive outfits in the league.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
As the curtain comes down on another thrilling edition of the Men’s Hero HIL, Hyderabad Toofans can look back on their 2025–26 campaign with pride. They leave Bhubaneswar with silverware, momentum, and the knowledge that they are well positioned to challenge for even greater honours in seasons to come.
