Vedanta Kalinga Lancers moved to the top of the Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2025–26 standings after edging past HIL GC in a tense 1-1 draw that was settled 3-1 in the shootout at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday.
In a contest defined by structure, discipline and fine margins, the Lancers held their nerve when it mattered most, with goalkeeper Jed Snowden emerging as the decisive figure in the shootout.
Regulation time ended with goals from Ajeet Yadav (19’) for HIL GC and Alexander Hendrickx (23’) for the Lancers. While HIL GC enjoyed longer spells of possession, it was the Lancers’ defensive organisation and efficiency in key moments that ultimately tilted the contest in their favour. The result not only earned them two crucial points but also pushed them to the top of the league table, underlining their consistency in tight encounters this season.
HIL GC began the match on the front foot, asserting control early by dominating possession and pinning the Lancers in their own half. Their intent was clear as they worked the ball patiently through midfield, racking up six circle entries in the opening exchanges. However, despite territorial dominance, clear-cut chances were hard to come by. The Lancers, content to absorb pressure, maintained a compact defensive shape and looked to exploit transitions. They matched HIL GC with six circle entries of their own in the first quarter and even earned the game’s first penalty corner, though they were unable to convert. A goalless opening quarter reflected the balance between control and containment.
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The deadlock was broken in the second quarter through HIL GC’s first shot on target. Captain Hardik Singh initiated the move with a driving run through midfield before releasing the ball into the circle, where Ajeet Yadav reacted quickest to tap home from close range in the 19th minute. The goal rewarded HIL GC’s persistence and briefly threatened to give them control of the contest.
The response from the Lancers was immediate and emphatic. They ramped up the pressure, earning a flurry of penalty corners within a short span as HIL GC were forced deeper. Eventually, Alexander Hendrickx delivered. The Belgian drag-flick specialist unleashed a powerful effort in the 23rd minute to beat James Mazarelo and restore parity. It was a moment of quality that ensured the Lancers went into halftime level, despite spending significant portions of the half without the ball.
The pattern continued after the break. HIL GC retained possession and probed for openings, but the Lancers remained disciplined, denying space in central areas and forcing play wide. On the counter, the Lancers looked dangerous, with Hendrickx coming close to giving them the lead before being denied by a superb save from Mazarelo, who produced a commanding performance in goal. The third quarter ebbed and flowed, with both sides creating half-chances but neither able to seize control.
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The final quarter was marked by intensity rather than invention. With the stakes rising, both teams tightened up, prioritizing defensive security over risk. HIL GC managed just three circle entries in the quarter, while the Lancers registered two of their own. Notably, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers did not concede a single penalty corner across the entire contest, a statistic that highlighted their defensive discipline and collective awareness. With no shots on target in the final quarter, the match inevitably headed into a shootout.
The shootout proved to be a battle of nerves. After both sides converted their opening attempts, the goalkeepers took center stage. James Mazarelo and Jed Snowden produced crucial saves to deny the next two takers each, keeping the contest finely poised. Arthur Van Doren then calmly converted for the Lancers, swinging the momentum their way. When Ajeet Yadav failed to score for HIL GC, the door was opened. Dilpreet Singh stepped up and made no mistake, sealing a 3-1 shootout win and sparking celebrations in the Lancers’ camp.
For Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, the victory was emblematic of their campaign so far: resilient in defense, clinical in key moments, and composed under pressure. The win against a possession-heavy HIL GC side showcased their ability to adapt to different game states, a quality that has propelled them to the top of the standings.
All matches of the Hero Hockey India League continue to 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.
