Bhubaneswar, Jan 26 (NationPress) The Vedanta Kalinga Lancers triumphed over the Ranchi Royals with a score of 3-2 in a nail-biting final, securing the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) championship in front of their enthusiastic home crowd at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Monday. The Lancers saw contributions from Alexander Hendrickx (4’, 27') and Dilpreet Singh (25’), while the Royals' goals came from Araijeet Singh Hundal (9') and their captain Tom Boon (59').

The Hockey India League announced impressive prize money: INR 3 crore for the champions, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, INR 2 crore for the runners-up, Ranchi Royals, and INR 1 crore awarded to the third-place team, Hyderabad Toofans, who bested HIL GC earlier that day.

In addition, HIL GC received the Fairplay Award. The tournament recognized Prince Deep Singh, goalkeeper of Tamil Nadu Dragons, as the Best Goalkeeper, while Talem Priyobarta from HIL GC earned the Upcoming Player of the Tournament award, with both players receiving INR 10 Lakh each.

Tom Boon of Ranchi Royals emerged as the top scorer of the tournament, netting 19 goals and receiving INR 10 lakh, while Amandeep Lakra from Hyderabad Toofans was named Player of the Tournament, taking home INR 20 lakh.

Both teams launched into the first quarter, creating multiple circle entries and opportunities, eager to secure early goals. The Vedanta Kalinga Lancers earned consecutive penalty corners in the fourth minute; Alexander Hendrickx converted one with a powerful dragflick past the Ranchi Royals goalkeeper, taking an early lead.

However, the advantage was short-lived as the Royals quickly equalized with a remarkable field goal. In the ninth minute, Yashdeep Siwach sent a lob from the left wing to Araijeet Singh Hundal (9'), who skillfully controlled the ball and finished strongly into the net.

During the second quarter, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers turned the match around with two goals. Although the Royals displayed strong offensive efforts, the Lancers executed a series of penalty corners, keeping the Royals pinned in their half.

In the 25th minute, the Lancers won another penalty corner; despite Alexander Hendrickx's dragflick being saved by Suraj Karkera, Dilpreet Singh reacted swiftly to score from the rebound.

Just two minutes later, the Lancers earned yet another penalty corner, and this time Alexander Hendrickx unleashed a dragflick that struck the top right corner, extending their lead at halftime.

The third quarter saw the Ranchi Royals dominate possession and control the gameplay. In the 36th minute, the Royals were awarded a penalty corner, but Tom Boon's flick was blocked by a Lancers rusher.

Despite persistent attacks, the Royals struggled to penetrate the Lancers' defense, which maintained a solid line. In the 45th minute, the Royals nearly scored again as the ball reached Araijeet Singh Hundal in front of the goal, but Krishan Bahadur Pathak, the Lancers' goalkeeper, made an outstanding save.

The final quarter saw the Royals press for crucial goals. Krishan Bahadur Pathak was in stellar form, thwarting attempts from Sam Lane, Tom Boon, and Nilam Sanjeep Xess with three crucial saves.

One of his most remarkable saves came in the 54th minute, retaining the Lancers' lead. In the 59th minute, the Royals finally scored from a penalty corner with a well-placed low dragflick, but they couldn't equalize in time as the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers celebrated their Men’s HIL championship victory.