HIL 2024-25: Team Gonasika Triumphs Over Soorma Hockey Club in Tense Encounter

Rourkela, Jan 14 (NationPress) Team Gonasika achieved their second victory in the Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25, keeping their hopes for the semifinals alive by defeating Soorma Hockey Club 2-1 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium on Tuesday. Goals from Nilam Sanjeep Xess (33`) and Lee Morton (59`) secured the win for Gonasika, while Pawan Rajbhar netted the lone goal for Soorma.

Both teams approached the match cautiously in the first quarter, with few significant scoring opportunities. It was near the quarter's end that either team came close to scoring. In the 12th minute, Lee Morton of Team Gonasika found himself in a promising position following some excellent play by Mandeep Singh, but his shot was directed straight at Mohith H.S., the goalkeeper for JSW Soorma Hockey Club.

Shortly after, Soorma earned the first penalty corner of the match. With Harmanpreet Singh absent, the drag-flick duties were taken by Nicolas della Torre and Jeremy Hayward. Della Torre’s attempt was brilliantly blocked by Yashdeep Siwach at the post.

In the final moments of the first quarter, Gonasika won their initial penalty corner, but Victor Charlet’s drag-flick was expertly saved by Mohith.

The second quarter mirrored the first in being cautious, with neither goalkeeper facing significant threats. The best opportunity came for Gonasika’s Timothee Clement in the 27th minute when Morton created a chance from the left, but Clement’s deflection hit the outside of the goal. After a goal-free first half, the deadlock was broken in the 33rd minute when Mandeep Singh skillfully held the ball in the circle before passing to Nilam Sanjeep Xess at the goalline. Xess's shot deflected off a defender's stick and into the goal.

This goal energized Gonasika, leading to a series of attacks, particularly from Morton and Nikkn Thimmaiah. However, Soorma managed to withstand the pressure. They equalized three minutes into the fourth quarter when Pawan Rajbhar displayed his poaching abilities. A quick free hit from Nicolas Keenan caught Gonasika off guard, allowing Rajbhar to poke the ball past Oliver Payne.

In the closing five minutes, both teams pushed for the win, with Gurjant Singh missing a crucial chance for Soorma by sending Boris Burkhardt’s perfect pass over the goal. On the other end, Mohith made a crucial save against Morton before Soorma cleared the loose ball. Morton eventually secured his goal in the 59th minute, curling the ball past Mohith into the far corner. With Soorma down to ten players due to a green card, they substituted Mohith for an outfield player.

Gonasika currently sits in seventh place on the points table with seven points, while Soorma remains in fifth with eight points.