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Amandeep Lakra was on target again as Hyderabad Toofans prevailed in a must-win match to stay alive in race for playoffs. (PHOTO: HIL)
With their tournament on the line, Hyderabad Toofans registered a narrow 3-2 victory against HIL GC in their last league stage match of the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Tuesday. Last edition’s finalists Hyderabad Toofans moved into third place with this win and their healthy goal difference should see them hold on to a place in the top four. Zachary Wallace, Amandeep Lakra and Shilanand Lakra were on target for Hyderabad, while Kane Russell scored a brace for HIL GC to continue his amazing run of form.
In the day’s second match, Soorma Hockey Club handed Kalinga Lancers their first defeat of the season, winning 2-1. Playing in their final league match, the table-topping Lancers were unable to break down a resilient Soorma side, whose composure kept their slim playoff aspirations alive. Jeetpal (23’) and Vivek Sagar Prasad (38″) scored for Soorma as they secured three points and moved to sixth place in the table. Soorma, who have one more match to come against bottom-placed SG Pipers, can still reach 11 points but their poor goal difference (-3) means they’d need to win by a massive margin.
Toofans into third
The opening exchanges saw HIL GC control possession before Toofans took the lead against the run of play, scoring from a penalty corner. Wallace’s (6’) effort found its way into the back of the net after a deflection, evading James Mazarelo in goal. It took HIL GC only two minutes to get back on level terms though, as they scored from their first penalty corner courtesy a dragflick from Russell (8’).
Toofans responded instantaneously from their second penalty corner as Amandeep (8’) rifled his drag flick past the keeper, giving his side a 2-1 advantage at the end of an engaging first quarter.
The Toofans continued to push forward in the second quarter, forcing Mazarelo into action on a couple of occasions. They eventually made the pressure count and doubled their lead with Shilanand (27’) scoring from close range. Despite the two-goal deficit, HIL GC were creating opportunities with regularity, posing a consistent threat going forward throughout the first half. They were denied a goal late in the half after a video referral.
It was an ideal start to the second half for HIL GC as Russell (31’) bagged his brace, helping his side pull a goal back by converting his drag flick from a penalty corner for the second time in the match.
HIL GC remained relentless in their pursuit to force a leveller, recording 18 circle entries in the final quarter. However, they couldn’t break down a resolute Toofans defence that kept the door firmly shut to ensure they got over the line and secured all three points. HIL GC now sit in fourth place after this result and face a nervous wait to see if either Soorma or Tamil Nadu Dragons overtake them over the next couple of days.
English (US) ·