In a nail-biting finish, the Kalinga Lancers maintained their flawless start to the Hockey India League season by edging past the defending champions, Bengal Tigers, with a narrow 2-1 victory on Thursday. The match, held in Chennai, saw all three goals erupt in a pulsating final quarter, breaking a prolonged deadlock.
A Cagey Affair Explodes in the Final Quarter
For the first three quarters, the contest was a tense, defensive battle, a stark contrast to the high-scoring thrillers that had characterized the league in Chennai. Over 51 minutes passed without a goal, thanks in large part to outstanding performances from the goalkeepers. Krishan Pathak for the Lancers and Jamie Carr for the Tigers pulled off a series of crucial saves to keep their sheets clean.
The Lancers started aggressively, making 11 circle entries in the first quarter against the Tigers' mere two. However, the momentum shifted in the second period, with the champions creating nine entries to the Lancers' three. Despite building pressure and finding attacking rhythm, the Tigers were repeatedly denied by the resilient Pathak.
Hendrickx and Dhami Deliver the Decisive Blows
The deadlock was finally broken by a moment of world-class quality. In the 52nd minute, Belgian drag-flick legend Alexander Hendrickx unleashed a powerful shot to give the Kalinga Lancers a hard-fought lead. The advantage, however, was short-lived.
Just four minutes later, in the 56th minute, the Bengal Tigers struck back. A long ball was expertly controlled by Spanish defender Enrique Gonzalez, who set up Affan Yousuf for a simple tap-in, restoring parity and setting up a grandstand finish.
The Lancers, unfazed, responded instantly. From a resulting penalty corner, the initial save from the goalkeeper fell kindly to forward Boby Singh Dhami. Showing great composure, Dhami made no mistake from close range, slotting home the rebound in the 57th minute to seal a dramatic 2-1 win for his team.
What This Result Means
This victory ensures the Kalinga Lancers preserve their 100% winning record at the start of the Hockey India League season. It is a significant statement of intent, defeating the reigning champions in such a tight encounter. The match also highlighted the importance of clinical finishing, with the Lancers capitalizing on their late chances despite being under pressure for large parts of the second half.
For the Bengal Tigers, it was a case of coming close but failing to convert their periods of dominance into a result. They will look to bounce back quickly in their upcoming fixtures. The thrilling finale served as a perfect advertisement for the league, showcasing the high stakes and excitement that the Hockey India League promises.
