Rourkela/Patiala, 02 February (Sports Desk)
The Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers emerged victorious in the Men’s Hockey India League 2024-25, defeating the Hyderabad Toofans 4-3 in a thrilling final held at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Saturday.
Jugraj Singh was the hero of the match for the Tigers, scoring a hat-trick (25′, 32′, 35′) to lead his team to victory. Same Lane also contributed a crucial goal in the 54th minute. The Hyderabad Toofans fought hard, with goals from Gonzalo Peillat (9′, 39′) and Amandeep Lakra (26′), but they were unable to overcome the Tigers’ strong performance.
The match was a tense and closely contested affair from the start. Both teams traded attacks, with the Tigers frequently using aerial passes. The Toofans took the early lead through a penalty corner converted by Peillat. The Tigers responded with Jugraj Singh’s first goal, a powerful drag flick from a penalty corner. However, the Toofans quickly regained the lead through Lakra.
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In the third quarter, Jugraj Singh took over, scoring two more goals in quick succession, both from penalty corners, to complete his hat-trick and put the Tigers in the lead. Peillat responded with another drag flick, leveling the score at 3-3.
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The final quarter saw the Tigers pushing for the winning goal. Sam Lane delivered the decisive blow with a well-placed flick, giving the Tigers a 4-3 lead with just six minutes remaining. The Toofans fought valiantly for an equalizer, earning a late penalty corner, but Tigers’ goalie Jamie Carr made a crucial save to deny Peillat’s shot. The Tigers then held on to their lead to secure the championship title.
In the third-place playoff match earlier in the day, Soorma Hockey Club defeated the Tamil Nadu Dragons 3-2.
