HIL 2024-25: Hendrickx Guides Vedanta Kalinga Lancers to Dramatic Shootout Triumph Over Delhi SG Pipers
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Synopsis
In a thrilling match on Jan 20, the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers made a sensational comeback to defeat the Delhi SG Pipers in a shootout during the Hockey India League. After trailing 1-4, goals from Hendrickx, Brinkman, and Singh led to a stunning victory, while the SG Pipers continue their search for a win this season.
Key Takeaways
- Hendrickx played a key role with two goals.
- The Kalinga Lancers rallied from a 1-4 deficit.
- SG Pipers are still seeking their first win.
- The game featured an impressive performance from Brinkman.
- Pressure led to a decisive penalty stroke in the shootout.
Rourkela, Jan 20 (NationPress) The Vedanta Kalinga Lancers achieved a remarkable turnaround to clinch a shootout victory against the Delhi SG Pipers during the ongoing Hockey India League. At halftime, the Kalinga Lancers were down 1-4, but with pivotal goals from Alexander Hendrickx (13’, 52’), Thierry Brinkman (35’, 47’), and Angad Bir Singh (49’), they orchestrated an impressive recovery and triumphed in the shootout. Meanwhile, the SG Pipers, despite contributions from Tomas Domene (18’, 20’), Corey Weyer (21’), Koji Yamasaki (23’), and Dilraj Singh (37’), are still in search of their first win this season.
The SG Pipers, determined to rectify their previous defeat against the Kalinga Lancers, started strongly by earning a penalty corner in the fourth minute. Jarmanpreet Singh, returning after missing the last match, opted for a slapshot, but Krishan Pathak was equal to the task. Moments later, Jarmanpreet created another opportunity, but Sanjay intervened to avert the danger. The Kalinga Lancers broke the deadlock in the 12th minute when Hendrickx’s dragflick took a significant deflection off Rohit’s foot, finding its way into the goal. This was a well-executed variation; Hendrickx had aimed to set up Aran Zalewski, but fortune favored him with a goal instead.
Trailing by one goal, the SG Pipers transformed the game in the second quarter, scoring four goals within five minutes to shock the Kalinga Lancers. Domene leveled the score with a powerful dragflick in the 18th minute. Two minutes later, he netted another ferocious strike, this time to Pathak’s left, securing his second goal of the match. Weyer joined the score sheet a minute later, beating Pathak from close range to establish a 3-1 advantage for the SG Pipers. Their lead increased further when Yamasaki made history as the first Japanese player to score in the HIL, capitalizing on a deflection from Pathak and slamming it home for a 4-1 lead.
From this point, it became a challenging task for the Kalinga Lancers to recover. They managed to reduce the deficit through Brinkman in the 35th minute, scoring into an unguarded goal after the goalkeeper had ventured off his line. However, the SG Pipers quickly restored their three-goal lead as Dilraj scored after Domene made a dynamic run into the box and set it up for him, making it 5-2.
The Kalinga Lancers commenced the final quarter strongly, with Brinkman netting his eighth goal of the season. Antoine Kina delivered a brilliant no-look pass that sliced through the opponent’s defense, which Brinkman converted, giving his team a glimmer of hope. The Kalinga Lancers celebrated again when Angad capitalized on a precise pass from Arthur van Doren from the left, narrowing the gap to 4-5 with only 11 minutes remaining. The home crowd erupted in joy in the 52nd minute when Hendrickx scored with a stunning dragflick, completing a remarkable comeback to tie the game at 5-5. The final eight minutes were tense, with neither side able to score, leading to a shootout.
In the shootout, the teams were level at 2-2 when Pawan succumbed to pressure, pushing Dilpreet from behind, resulting in a penalty stroke. Hendrickx confidently converted the stroke, giving the Kalinga Lancers a 3-2 lead, while their goalkeeper Toby Reynolds-Cotterill made a crucial save, securing the shootout victory and an additional bonus point for his team.
