Soorma Hockey Club's Valiant Effort Ends in Heartbreak as Playoff Hopes Dashed
In a dramatic finale to the group stage of the Men's Hockey India League (HIL), Soorma Hockey Club delivered a commanding performance but fell just short of a miraculous playoff qualification. Needing to win by seven goals to secure a top-four finish, Soorma secured a 6-1 victory over SG Pipers, leaving them agonisingly close yet ultimately disappointed. The match, played on January 22, 2026, saw standout performances, particularly from Jeremy Hayward, but it wasn't enough to overtake the HIL Governing Council for the final playoff spot.
High-Intensity Start and Hayward's Heroics
Soorma Hockey Club began the game with relentless energy, immediately putting SG Pipers on the back foot. Within the opening minutes, they earned a penalty corner, and Jeremy Hayward stepped up to power a thunderous drag flick into the right corner, giving Soorma an early lead. The pressure continued unabated as Soorma employed a high press, suffocating the Pipers' attempts to build play. Hayward doubled the advantage with another penalty corner conversion, showcasing his precision and power.
As the first quarter progressed, Soorma's dominance was evident. Gurjant Singh won possession high up the pitch and set up Lucas Martinez, who calmly slotted the ball into an open goal, extending the lead to 3-0. This early burst set the tone for a match where Soorma controlled possession and created numerous chances, while SG Pipers struggled to mount any significant threat.
Strategic Shifts and Pipers' Resilience
In the second quarter, SG Pipers adopted a more defensive approach, sitting deep to prevent the scoreline from escalating further. This strategy provided some respite, allowing them to test Soorma goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch with sporadic attempts, though they failed to find a breakthrough. Soorma, meanwhile, continued to dominate, maintaining pressure from the flanks and through midfield control.
The third quarter saw Soorma switch tactics, employing long aerials to stretch the Pipers' defence. This move paid off with another penalty corner, which Hayward converted with a powerful flick into the bottom right corner. However, SG Pipers responded with a rare spell of possession, earning their first penalty corner. Domene capitalized with a low flick to score, briefly reducing the deficit. A foul by Pawan soon after handed Soorma a penalty stroke, which Hayward confidently converted, restoring a four-goal lead and keeping playoff hopes alive.
Final Push and Agonising Shortfall
Entering the fourth quarter, Soorma intensified their press in a desperate bid to close the goal-difference gap. Nicolas Keenan reacted quickest to a saved shot, smashing home to bring Soorma within touching distance of qualification. The Pipers, however, showed resilience, with Manjeet testing goalkeeper Mohith HS and earning another penalty corner. Domene's powerful flick was met with a spectacular save from Mohith, denying a crucial goal.
In the dying minutes, Soorma earned a penalty corner, but Pipers' first rusher Rohit charged down Hayward's flick, frustrating their efforts. With both teams pushing hard until the final whistle, SG Pipers managed to defend stoutly, ensuring Soorma's victory was limited to 6-1. The result left Harmanpreet Singh and his teammates visibly disappointed, as their season ended just shy of the playoffs.
Playoff Schedule and Looking Ahead
With Soorma Hockey Club's exit, the HIL playoffs are set to proceed as scheduled. The Eliminator between Hyderabad Toofans and HIL Governing Council will take place on January 23 at 5.00 pm, followed by Qualifier 1 between Kalinga Lancers and Ranchi Royals at 7.30 pm. The subsequent matches include Qualifier 2 on January 25 and the 3rd place playoff and Final on January 26. This thrilling conclusion underscores the competitive nature of the Hockey India League, where every goal and moment can define a team's fate.
Key Takeaways:
- Jeremy Hayward's four goals were a highlight, but insufficient for qualification.
- Soorma's aggressive strategy and high press dominated large parts of the match.
- SG Pipers' defensive resilience in the final minutes proved decisive.
- The narrow miss highlights the intense competition in the HIL this season.
