Men’s HIL: Wallace, Brand power Toofans past Tigers

A change of venue augured well for Hyderabad Toofans as it rode on Zachary Wallace and Tim Brand’s hat-tricks to bounce back and record a comprehensive 6-0 win over defending champion Shrachi Bengal Tigers in the Hockey India League at the Kalinga Stadium on Saturday.

With their back to the wall following three consecutive defeats, last season’s finalists Toofans banked on their sound game-plan to post a second win.

Toofans, who struggled for early field goals so far, drew first blood in the second minute to grab the momentum. A fine combined effort, involving Jacob Anderson and Talwinder Singh, fructified when Wallace tapped in from a goal-mouth melee.

The composed Toofans thwarted Tigers’ attacks before doubling their lead. Brand pounced on a rebound to find the target with a reverse stick from his side’s first short corner.

Toofans pumped in two more in the second quarter to make it 4-0. Regaining his touch, Michel Struthoff impressed in the midfield and beautifully set up Wallace, who moved in to beat three defenders and get his second.

For a change, Toofans’ fourth strike originated from the left. Arthur de Sloover ran across and passed it to Wallace inside the circle to help the Dutchman complete his hat-trick.

With his back to the post, Brand used Arshdeep Singh’s cross to score a spectacular diving goal with a reverse stick in the third quarter. The Aussie slotted in a rebound in the final period to achieve his treble. Tigers earned four short corners, but were undone by Toofans’ all-round performance.

Lancers in last four

With a decent presence of home fans, unbeaten table-topper Vedanta Kalinga Lancers thrashed bottom-placed SG Pipers 6-1 to ensure a final-four spot. Cooper Burns, who capitalised on Bobby Singh Dhami’s brilliant assists, and Alex Hendrickx struck a brace apiece while Craig Marais and Angad Bir Singh scored one each.

Goalkeeper Krishan Pathak, too, starred for the winner with multiple saves.

The results: Hyderabad Toofans 6 (Wallace 2, 17, 30, Brand 12-pc, 39, 46) bt Shrachi Bengal Tigers 0.

Vedanta Kalinga Lancers 6 (Burns 8, 23, Marais 10, Hendrickx 39-pc, 56-pc, Angad 54) bt SG Pipers 1 (Willott 9).