The opening match of the men's Hockey India League (HIL) in Chennai on Saturday delivered edge-of-the-seat action as the Tamil Nadu Dragons and Hyderabad Toofans played out a 3-3 thriller in regulation time. The Dragons, however, had the final say, clinching a crucial bonus point by winning the penalty shootout 4-2.
A Furious Start and a Goalkeeping Masterstroke
The encounter kicked off at a blistering pace with the home side, Tamil Nadu Dragons, taking an aggressive stance. Their early pressure paid off when Mohammed Raheel won a penalty corner. Although drag-flicker Blake Govers' attempt was saved by Toofans' keeper Jean-Paul Danneberg, the rebound struck a defender on the line. Uttam Singh was perfectly positioned to tap the ball home, giving the Dragons the lead in just the 4th minute.
The Dragons doubled their advantage soon after. A brilliant pass from Tom Craig found Tomas Sorsby, who embarked on a powerful 25-yard run. As the goalkeeper advanced, Sorsby cleverly created an angle and slotted the ball in during the 9th minute, sending the home fans into a frenzy.
Toofans Fight Back with Lakra's Brilliance
Staring at a two-goal deficit, the Hyderabad Toofans found their rhythm and a potent weapon in drag-flicker Amandeep Lakra. The young star pulled one back for his team in the 12th minute with a precise penalty corner conversion. He was not done yet. In the 22nd minute, the 22-year-old Lakra struck again from another set-piece, bringing the Toofans level at 2-2 and completely shifting the momentum.
The second half saw the Dragons regain the lead when Karthi Selvam found the net in the 32nd minute. But the resilient Toofans refused to surrender. Defender Arthur De Sloover showcased superb skill to score from a seemingly impossible tight angle in the 37th minute, ensuring the match ended 3-3 after regulation time.
Shootout Heroics Seal the Deal
With the match tied, the contest moved to a penalty shootout to decide the bonus point. The Dragons' tactical decision to substitute goalkeeper Princedeep Singh specifically for the shootout proved to be a game-winning masterstroke. Princedeep Singh was immense between the posts, providing the crucial impetus as the Tamil Nadu Dragons prevailed 4-2 in the shootout. His saves ensured the home side walked away with the extra point from a fiercely contested opener, setting an exciting tone for the rest of the Hockey India League season.
