Hyderabad Toofans delivered a commanding performance to begin the Bhubaneswar leg of the Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2025–26, registering a comprehensive 6–0 victory over Shrachi Bengal Tigers at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Saturday.
In a display of attacking efficiency and defensive control, Zachary Wallace and Tim Brand scored hat-tricks to underline Hyderabad’s authority across all four quarters.
The Toofans wasted no time asserting themselves, striking as early as the second minute of the opening quarter. Talwinder Singh showed excellent composure inside the circle, shielding the ball under pressure before laying it off perfectly for Zachary Wallace. The forward finished calmly through the goalkeeper’s legs, giving Hyderabad an immediate advantage and setting the tone for the contest.
Shrachi Bengal Tigers attempted to respond quickly and earned a penalty corner in the seventh minute through Sukhjeet Singh. However, Tom Grambusch’s drag-flick narrowly missed the target. The Tigers won another penalty corner moments later, but this time Jean-Paul Danneberg produced a sharp save to deny Grambusch and keep Hyderabad in front. Those missed opportunities proved costly as the Toofans continued to build momentum.
In the 12th minute, Hyderabad earned their first penalty corner of the match. Although Amandeep Lakra’s drag-flick was initially saved, Tim Brand reacted fastest to the rebound, slotting the ball into the net to double the lead. The goal further unsettled the Tigers, who struggled to cope with Hyderabad’s pace and movement through the middle of the pitch.
The second quarter saw Hyderabad extend their dominance. In the 16th minute, Wallace was afforded too much space as he drove straight down the centre into the circle. With time to steady himself, he unleashed a low-driven shot that sneaked past the goalkeeper into the bottom-right corner, making it 3–0 and placing the Toofans firmly in control.
To their credit, the Tigers created several promising chances in the second quarter. In the 19th minute, Abhishek tested Hyderabad goalkeeper Bikramjit Singh with a powerful shot, but the effort was well saved. Shortly after, Ketan Kushwaha delivered a dangerous ball into the circle from the left flank, only for Abhishek’s deflection to drift narrowly wide. Despite the pressure, Hyderabad’s defensive structure held firm, absorbing the attacks without conceding.
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Just as the Tigers looked to regroup, Hyderabad struck again in the closing seconds of the first half. With 20 seconds remaining, Wallace dribbled in from the right flank and fired towards goal. A deflection lifted the ball over the goalkeeper, completing Wallace’s hat-trick and sending the Toofans into halftime with a commanding 4–0 lead.
The third quarter began on a more balanced note, with both sides contesting possession in midfield. However, Hyderabad soon found another breakthrough. In the 39th minute, Arshdeep Singh produced a moment of brilliance along the baseline, using exceptional 3D skills to beat multiple defenders. He then pulled the ball back into the centre of the circle, where Tim Brand was perfectly positioned to finish with ease and register his second goal of the evening.
Any hopes of a Tigers’ comeback were extinguished early in the fourth quarter. Within the opening minute, Jacob Anderson took a shot on goal that was saved by the Tigers’ goalkeeper. Once again, Brand was alert to the rebound, pouncing quickly to slot the ball home and complete his hat-trick. The goal made it 6–0 and capped a clinical attacking performance from Hyderabad.
Shrachi Bengal Tigers continued to fight until the final whistle and earned back-to-back penalty corners towards the end of the match. However, Hyderabad’s defence remained disciplined and composed, denying the Tigers any consolation and preserving a clean sheet over four dominant quarters.
The emphatic win marked a strong start for Hyderabad Toofans in the Bhubaneswar leg of the league and highlighted their balance across all departments. Wallace’s intelligent movement and finishing, Brand’s sharp instincts inside the circle, and the team’s collective defensive resilience combined to produce one of the most comprehensive performances of the season.
For the Tigers, the result will prompt reflection, particularly after creating several opportunities that went unrewarded. Despite moments of promise, they were unable to convert pressure into goals and were punished by Hyderabad’s efficiency.
As the Men’s Hero Hockey India League progresses, Hyderabad Toofans will take significant confidence from this dominant display, while Shrachi Bengal Tigers will look to regroup quickly and address their shortcomings in the upcoming fixtures.
