Tom Boon's Brilliant Hat-Trick Propels Ranchi Royals into HIL Final
In a thrilling encounter at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, Tom Boon delivered a masterclass performance, scoring his second hat-trick of the Hockey India League season to guide Ranchi Royals to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Hyderabad Toofans in Qualifier 2. This win sets up an exciting summit clash with Kalinga Lancers, while the Toofans, last season's runners-up, will now face HIL GC in the third-fourth place playoff match on Monday.
Boon's Decisive Performance Under Pressure
Tom Boon, who had already netted 15 goals during the league stage but was kept quiet in the previous game against the Lancers, rose to the occasion when it mattered most. The Belgian forward found the back of the net in the 13th, 15th, and 34th minutes, showcasing his clinical finishing and leadership on the field. His efforts were complemented by goals from Jacob Anderson in the 5th minute and Amandeep Lakra in the 38th minute for the Toofans, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Royals' determined display.
Celebrating his birthday alongside teammate Mandeep Singh on Sunday, Boon expressed satisfaction with the team's performance but voiced concerns about the upcoming final. With less than 24 hours to recover before facing the Lancers, who will have the advantage of two days' rest, Boon acknowledged the physical challenges ahead. "Hope physically we will be there. It's going to be really tough. We have to give everything because afterwards it's finished. So, I hope we will have some legs tomorrow and that we will compete against the Lancers," said the star forward, who now boasts 18 goals in the tournament.
Match Highlights and Turning Points
The match began with the Toofans taking an early lead in the fifth minute, thanks to a brilliant run down the right flank by Rajinder Singh. After entering the D, Singh turned and passed the ball to Jacob Anderson, who calmly deflected it into an empty net past a melee of Royals defenders. However, this early advantage was short-lived as the Royals quickly seized control of the game, launching waves of attacks that put the Toofans on the back foot.
Ranchi Royals earned their first penalty corner shortly after and, although they failed to convert initially, they won another opportunity within minutes. From this, Boon earned a penalty stroke, which he coolly slotted into the top-right corner to equalize. Just two minutes later, he converted the team's third penalty corner to make it 2-1, giving the Royals a lead they would not relinquish.
In the second quarter, both teams battled for dominance but neither could break through. The third quarter saw Boon strike again from a penalty corner, extending the Royals' lead to 3-1. Amandeep Lakra managed to pull one back for the Toofans four minutes later, but the Royals' resolute defense in the final quarter ensured they held on for a memorable victory.
Looking Ahead to the Final
With this win, Ranchi Royals have booked their place in the Hockey India League final against Kalinga Lancers, promising a high-stakes clash that will test both teams' endurance and skill. The Toofans, meanwhile, will aim to end their season on a positive note in the playoff match. As the tournament reaches its climax, all eyes will be on Bhubaneswar for what promises to be an unforgettable conclusion to the HIL season.
