Hockey India League
Ranchi, Jan 7: Soorma Hockey Club concluded their Women’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26 campaign with an energetic 3–2 win against finalists Bengal Tigers here at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium.
Although the match was essentially a dead rubber, with Soorma eliminated and the Tigers already qualified for the finals, both teams played with great intensity and kept the crowd engaged with a tightly fought game that went to the final moments.
Soorma began proactively, pressing intensely from the first whistle and pushing the Tigers onto the defensive early. Olivia Shannon played a key role in Soorma’s offence, narrowly missing an opportunity in the fourth minute, but the score stayed the same.
Skipper Salima Tete then centred a shot that just cleared the goalkeeper, shortly after Shannon challenged Tigers captain Jennifer Rizzo with a shot that was easily saved.
After managing the initial exchanges, Soorma took the lead in the 10th minute as Sonam pushed the ball into the net from close range, making it 1–0. The Ranchi-based team maintained control for the rest of the quarter, going into the first break with a well-earned lead.
The Tigers briefly controlled possession early in the second quarter, but Shannon quickly initiated a Soorma counter-attack, though the final pass failed to connect. Soorma received the first penalty corner of the match at the 26th minute and a second shortly after, but the Tigers’ defence remained strong both times.
The Tigers quickly replied with their first penalty corner, which Soorma defended well. Lalremsiami then tried to score, but goalkeeper Nidhi blocked her shot. The Tigers briefly controlled the game late in the quarter and pressed for an equaliser, but Soorma held firm to preserve their 1–0 lead at halftime.
Despite the setback, the Tigers kept fighting and earned a late penalty corner with just over a minute left. Lalremsiami converted the rebound, narrowing the score to 3–2. They pressed hard in the final moments to find an equaliser, but Soorma stayed strong to secure their second win of the season. (IANS)
HIL GC beat Shrachi Bengal Tigers 6-3
HIL GC defeated Shrachi Bengal Tigers 6-3 in a high-scoring Men’s Hockey India League 2025-26 clash at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday.
Kane Russell (19’, 36’, 44’), Sam Ward (19’), Sudeep Chirmako (38’) and James Albery (59’) scored the goals for HIL GC while Captain Jugraj Singh (12’), Tom Grambusch (40’) and Christopher Ruhr (40’) were the goalscorers for Shrachi Bengal Tigers.
The first quarter began with an extremely tight contest between the two sides in the midfield. The first real opportunity on goal came in the 11th minute, as Sudeep Chirmako played an incisive pass to Ajeet Yadav on the left, who took a shot on goal from a tight spot and struck the post for HIL GC.
In the same minute, Shrachi Bengal Tigers were awarded four consecutive penalty corners and although HIL GC tried their best in stopping the attempts, they gave away an unfortunate penalty stroke which was converted by Captain Jugraj Singh (12’) as he sent HIL GC goalkeeper James Mazarelo the wrong way. In the 14th minute, HIL GC again came teasingly close to scoring as Sam Ward’s first-touch attempt on goal struck the post.
In the 58th minute, the Tigers earned themselves two late penalty corners but couldn’t find the goal again. Moments later in the 59th minute, James Albery showcased brilliant skill to get past Tigers’ backline from the right flank and tap the ball into the empty net, with no goalkeeper to beat as HIL GC won the encounter 6-3.
Hyderabad Toofans script remarkable comeback to register 3-2 win against Ranchi Royals
Hyderabad Toofans registered a magnificent turnaround to secure a 3-2 win against Ranchi Royals in the Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, Egmore on Wednesday.
Tom Boon (11’, 17’) struck twice for the Ranchi Royals, before goals from Amandeep Lakra (42’), Nic Woods (45’) and Talwinder Singh (57’) helped Hyderabad Toofans steal a comeback win. It was an engaging start to the first quarter with Hyderabad Toofans taking control in the opening exchanges. They kept most of the possession to dictate the tempo of the game, while Ranchi Royals were content to hold their shape and play on the break. The Royals had the first notable opportunity of the game though, earning a couple of penalty corners. Tom Boon (11’) converted his dragflick from the second set-piece, giving his side the lead against the run of play. The Toofans created chances with a couple of penalty corners of their own towards the end of the first quarter, but couldn’t find the opening they were looking for.
Despite their best efforts, they didn’t register any notable attempt on target, concluding the first half with a 2-0 deficit.
They eventually got the reward for their persistence as Amandeep Lakra (42’) converted his dragflick from a penalty corner, pulling a goal back for his side. Nic Woods (45’) got them back on level terms three minutes later, setting up an intriguing final quarter. With all to play for in the last fifteen minutes, Hyderabad Toofans had momentum on their side. While the Ranchi Royals persisted with their counter-attacking tactics, they eventually succumbed as the Toofans completed a sensational turnaround with Talwinder Singh (57’) helping them get their noses in front with less than three minutes to go. The goal proved to be the game-winning contribution in the end, as the runners up from last season held firm to secure all three points. (Agencies)
