Hockey India League: Ranchi Royals clinch 2nd spot after 3-3 draw against TN Dragons; three out of four playoff spots confirmed

6 days ago 9

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HIL) Ranchi Royals confirmed their second-place finish in the group phase of Hockey India League. (PHOTO: HIL)

Despite leading for most of the regulation time, Ranchi Royals were held to a 3-3 draw and then went on to miss out on the shootout bonus against Tamil Nadu Dragons in the penultimate group phase encounter of the Men’s Hockey India League in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. But the point that Royals earned was enough to confirm second spot on the points table, setting up a clash against Kalinga Lancers on Friday in Qualifier 1 of the playoffs. The result also meant that Hyderabad Toofans have booked their place in the playoffs. It now comes down to Soorma Hockey Club and HIL GC, with just one match to go. Soorma Hockey must win by a seven-goal margin in Thursday’s clash against bottom-placed SG Pipers to clinch the fourth playoff spot ahead of HIL GC.

Having already been eliminated from the playoff race, the Dragons edged past the Royals 4-2 in a dramatic shootout after a pulsating encounter ended 3-3 at full time. Tom Boon struck twice for the Royals (9’, 35’), complementing Mandeep Singh’s (1’) opener in the first minute. The Dragons fought back through a brace from Blake Govers (24’, 53’) and a goal from Karthi Selvam (32’). During the shootout, Nathan Ephraums, Blake Govers, Uttam Singh, and Tom Craig converted their chances for the Dragons while junior team goalkeeper Princedeep Singh once again showcased his shootout saving prowess.

In the first quarter, a lightning-fast opening move from the Royals saw them surge ahead in just 28 seconds. Following a series of crisp passes, Maxime Van Oost took a close-range shot on goal. The experienced Mandeep pounced on the rebound and, from the tightest of angles, deftly scooped the ball into the net.

The Royals doubled the lead through a penalty corner in the ninth minute. Boon’s drag-flick from the top was blocked, but the captain quickly found the ball again and slotted it past the Dragons’ goalkeeper, David Harte. After a quick breakaway on the left flank, Araijeet Singh expertly found Manmeet Singh on the edge of the circle, but the powerful shot was closed down by an outstretched Harte.

The pace of the encounter slowed down in the second quarter as the Dragons roared back. Though the Royals continued to look dangerous in attack, it was the Dragons who scored after their first penalty corner of the match. Player of the match Govers stepped up in the 24th minute to make it 2-1 and keep his side in the contest.

The Dragons carried the momentum into the third quarter. After good stick work from Govers, Karthi tapped it in from close range to level the scoreline. The Royals reclaimed the lead shortly after, when Boon scored his second goal of the night with a penalty stroke to make it 3-2.

In the final quarter, the Dragons were rewarded for their persistence in the 53rd minute as Govers converted a penalty corner for his second goal of the night. Araijeet nearly found the winner for the Royals with a reverse tomahawk from the edge of the circle, but goalkeeper Suraj Karkera dealt with the threat to ensure the scores were tied at the end of 60 minutes. If Royals had lost in regulation time, Toofans would have gone ahead of them based on goal difference and finished second, such were the margins.

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