Bhubaneswar, Jan 22 (NationPress) The Soorma Hockey Club achieved a commanding 6–1 victory against the SG Pipers during their last group stage encounter in the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) at the Kalinga Stadium on Thursday. Despite the win, they fell just short of qualifying for the next round.

To secure a place in Qualifier 2, Soorma needed a seven-goal margin. They initiated the match with a vigorous pace, showcased by Jeremy Hayward’s impressive drag flicks (2’, 7’, 34’, 45’) and a counter-attack goal from Lucas Martinez (11’). Nicolas Keenan (47’) brought Soorma closer to qualification in the final quarter, but the SG Pipers managed to maintain their defense, thwarting Soorma’s aspirations of progressing.

JSW Soorma Hockey Club took control right from the start, pushing the Pipers back and earning an early penalty corner. Hayward stepped up and expertly flicked the ball into the right corner, giving Soorma a spectacular opening.

The relentless pressure continued as Soorma mounted attacks from the edges while implementing a high pressing strategy to stifle the Pipers. Shortly after, another penalty corner was awarded, and Hayward again found the net, doubling the advantage.

While the Pipers occasionally ventured into Soorma's half, they failed to seriously threaten their defense. Soorma maintained dominance, with Gurjant Singh winning possession deep in Pipers' territory and passing to Martinez, who coolly scored, increasing the lead to 3–0.

In the second quarter, Soorma continued to dominate possession, while the Pipers resorted to a defense-oriented strategy, sitting deep to limit further scoring. This tactic yielded some relief as the Pipers began testing Soorma goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch with a few sporadic attempts, but none resulted in a goal.

Soorma shifted tactics in the third quarter, employing long aerial passes to stretch the Pipers’ defense. This led to another penalty corner, where Hayward unleashed a powerful flick into the bottom corner, too fast for defender Jarmanpreet Singh to intercept.

As the quarter drew to a close, the Pipers had a rare moment of possession, moving the ball across their defense before earning their first penalty corner. Tomas Domene capitalized with a low flick to the left corner, beating Soorma goalkeeper Mohith HS. However, a foul from Pawan soon resulted in a penalty stroke for Soorma, converted confidently by Hayward to restore a four-goal lead at the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Soorma intensified their efforts with a relentless press, leading to Nicolas Keenan reacting quickest to a saved shot and scoring, bringing Soorma within reach of qualification. The Pipers, however, continued to threaten with Manjeet testing Mohith with a reverse shot. With four minutes remaining, the Pipers earned another penalty corner, but Domene’s strong flick was met with an exceptional save from Mohith.

Soorma answered by acquiring a penalty corner a minute later, but Pipers’ first rusher Rohit thwarted Hayward’s flick, further frustrating their attempts. In the final two minutes, both teams pushed hard, but the Pipers held firm, ensuring that Soorma would have to settle for a 6-1 victory.