HIL 2024-25: Bengal Tigers Triumph Over UP Rudras 5-3

Rourkela (Odisha), Jan 15 (NationPress) A remarkable first-quarter display, in which they netted three goals, secured a 5-3 victory for the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers against the UP Rudras during the Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.

Goals were scored by Gauthier Boccard (8`), Jugraj Singh (10`, 33`), Sukhjeet Singh (14`), and Abhishek (46`) for the Bengal Tigers. The UP Rudras fought back with Hardik Singh (47`) and Sam Ward (51` and 59`) scoring in the fourth quarter.

The UP Rudras had a strong start with forwards Sudeep Chirmako and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay penetrating the circle. Yet, they failed to challenge Jamie Carr in the Bengal Tigers' goal. Their early struggles in finishing came back to haunt them as the Tigers took the lead in the eighth minute. Gauthier Boccard executed a brilliant solo run, maneuvering past several defenders before slotting the ball into the bottom corner, out of reach for goalkeeper James Mazarelo.

The Tigers maintained momentum, winning the first penalty corner in the 10th minute. The Rudras had been unyielding against penalty corners, having successfully defended all 20 faced in the tournament until Jugraj Singh netted with an unstoppable drag flick that deflected off the first rusher, eluding Mazarelo.

Continuing their assault, the Tigers scored their third goal in the 14th minute. Sebastien Dockier took a shot from a promising angle, which was saved by Mazarelo, but Sukhjeet Singh pounced on the rebound, marking the 100th goal of the Hero Hockey India League 2024-25 season.

Despite UP Rudras’ protests over a potential stick tackle leading to the goal, the TV umpire found no grounds for disallowance. The Tigers entered the second quarter with a commanding 3-0 lead. They attempted three consecutive penalty corners in the 21st minute, but Mazarelo and Surender Kumar thwarted their efforts.

The Tigers thought they had scored again in the 26th minute when Sukhjeet Singh pushed the ball over the line through a quick counterattack. However, the TV umpire ruled that Sukhjeet had used his back stick in the process.

With just six seconds remaining in the second quarter, the Rudras earned a penalty corner. Tanguy Cosyns’ drag flick was blocked by Joshua Beltz as the Tigers went into halftime leading 3-0.

Three minutes into the third quarter, the Tigers finally secured their fourth goal. Sam Lane earned a penalty corner, which Jugraj Singh converted, marking his fifth goal of the season, tying him with Tomas Domene and Jip Jannsen for the most goals.

The Rudras nearly pulled one back in the 40th minute, but a brilliant defensive play by Florent van Aubel denied them. Kane Russell’s drag flick grazed Jamie Carr’s glove and was about to trickle in when Van Aubel leapt to clear the ball off the line.

Beginning the final quarter, the Tigers struck with a classic counter-attack. After defending a penalty corner, Sukhjeet Singh passed to Abhishek, who faked a shot to deceive the defender before unleashing an unstoppable shot past Prashant Kumar Chauhan. In the 47th minute, the Rudras won a penalty stroke when Sam Ward was fouled by Tim Cross. Captain Hardik Singh converted, lifting his team’s spirits.

The Rudras created a tense final 10 minutes for the Tigers, pulling another goal back with Sam Ward’s penalty corner goal in the 51st minute. Ward found the net again in the 59th minute from yet another penalty corner.

Despite their determined efforts, the UP Rudras could not complete the comeback. With this victory, the Bengal Tigers moved ahead of the Hyderabad Toofans and the UP Rudras into second place with 12 points, while the Rudras fell to fourth with nine points.