Men’s HIL: Toofans storm past HIL GC, move to third spot

BHUBANESWAR: In a must-win contest, Hyderabad Toofans maintained its composure to register a 3-2 victory against HIL GC in the teams’ final round-robin match of the Hockey India League at the Kalinga Stadium here on Tuesday.

Though the two teams finished the league stage with 11 points, Toofans’ third win helped it leapfrog HIL GC to the third spot on better goal difference. Ranchi Royals, placed second, also has 11 points with a match to go.

Toofans, who relied on their fluid midfield and active forward-line, made early inroads and took a 2-1 lead in the first quarter.

Following an ill-trapped penalty corner, an alert Zachary Wallace shot home to put Toofans ahead in the sixth minute.

Even though HIL GC drew parity through Kane Russell who flicked home to the top right corner, Toofans regained their lead immediately as Amandeep Lakra found the target off his side’s second penalty corner.

The lively quartet of Wallace, Michel Struthoff, Shilanand Lakra and Arshdeep Singh kept the HIL GC defence busy before Shilanand slotted home after a miscued penalty corner injection and extended Toofans’ lead in the second period.

HIL GC came close to narrowing the gap before the half-time break but Ajeet Yadav’s attempt off a long pass from Russell was deemed dangerous.

Russell strikes

Russell, however, converted the second of two consecutive penalty corners to make it 3-2 early in the third quarter.

Toofans created a lot of chances in the final two periods, but could not get past custodian James Mazarelo.

JSW Soorma HC, in a tough situation with a minus goal difference, scripted a 2-1 victory over top-placed Vedanta Kalinga Lancers.

Despite the reverse, the latter finished with 16 points in seven matches.

The results: Hyderabad Toofans 3 (Zachary Wallace 6-pc, Amandeep Lakra 8-pc, Shilanand Lakra 27-pc) bt HIL GC 2 (Kane Russell 8-pc, 31-pc).

JSW Soorma Hockey Club 2 (Jeetpal 23, Vivek Sagar Prasad 38-pc) bt Vedanta Kalinga Lancers 1 (Liam Henderson 48).