Young drag queen Amandeep Lakra scored the decisive goal and goalkeeper Dominic Dixon made several crucial saves in the shootout as the Hyderabad Toofans defeated JSW Soorma Club in a sudden cliffhanger in the Hockey India League at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium here on Saturday.
After drawing 1-1 in regular time, Toofans kept their nerve to win 4-3 in the penalty shootout and claim an important bonus point with their third victory.
The Toofans got into the circle more often, but were unable to capitalize on several chances in the first quarter.
Soorma’s attacks looked more effective. Nicolas della Torre won the first penalty corner and converted it in the eighth minute. His drag-flip bounced off Toofans’ first stick and beat wicketkeeper Vikas Dahiya.
Facing Soorma’s gritty and clinical defense, Toofans continued to struggle late in the game and missed at least three consecutive field goal opportunities in the second quarter.
Arshdeep Singh was missing a caregiver. Later, Darshan Gawkar and Talwinder Singh also missed opportunities.
HOW HAPPENED: Toofans vs. Soorma; HIGHLIGHTS of the Rudras vs Pipers match
Toofans blocked Soorma’s second short corner and then converted the first, thanks to two local boys, to level the scores in the penultimate quarter. Shilanand Lakra made a perfect shot and Amandeep flawlessly passed experienced defender Vincent Vanasch.
The Toofans pushed to create more chances but were unable to succeed.
Soorma, who left Harmanpreet Singh’s game after the team captain suffered a left leg injury with one minute and 47 seconds left, scored two more short corner kicks in the dying seconds, but Toofans blocked them to break the tie.
The deadlock continued and both goalkeepers, Vanasch and Dixon, performed well on the first five shots in the shootout. Zachary Wallace found the target and Nicolas Poncelet shot wide, dying suddenly, to the delight of the Toofans.
UP Rudras rallied to defeat Delhi SG Pipers 3-1 to secure their third win. Floris Wortelboer, Kane Russell and Tanguy Cosyns scored for Rudras, while Jake Whetton scored the only goal for the Pipers.
Results
Hyderabad Toofans 1 (Amandeep 40) drew with JSW Soorma Hockey Club 1 (della Torre 8), Toofans bt Soorma 4-3 in a penalty shootout; UP Rudras 3 (Wortelboer 30, Russell 43, Tanguy 54) bt Delhi SG Pipers 1 (Whetton 29).
