In a stunning reversal of fortunes, the Kalinga Lancers have surged to the top of the Hockey India League standings, leaving their dismal last-season performance firmly in the past. Their rise was cemented by a hard-fought 3-1 victory in a penalty shootout against HIL GC at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday.
From Last Season's Lows to This Season's Highs
The Lancers' current success story is a stark contrast to their previous campaign. Last season, the team finished a disappointing sixth after the group stage, managing only three wins in regular time. Despite a squad that looked formidable on paper, they failed to qualify for the play-offs. This season, however, the narrative has changed dramatically. With this latest win, they now have eight points from three matches, sitting proudly at the summit.
Shootout Heroics Seal the Deal
The match against HIL GC was a tense affair, ending 1-1 in regulation time. HIL GC drew first blood in the 19th minute when Ajeet Yadav tapped in a setup from captain Hardik Singh. The Lancers responded with relentless pressure, earning six penalty corners in just two minutes. Belgian drag-flicker Alexander Hendrickx finally equalized in the 23rd minute, beating goalkeeper James Mazarelo.
When the game went to a shootout, Australian goalkeeper Jed Snowden emerged as the undisputed hero. Coming off the bench specifically for the shootout, Snowden, a former Australian U-21 international, made three crucial saves. He denied attempts from Simon Yorston, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, and Ajeet Yadav. Only Gurjot Singh managed to score past him. For the Lancers, Cooper Burns, Arthur van Doren, and Dilpreet Singh converted their attempts to secure the 3-1 shootout win and the extra point.
League Roundup: Royals Roar to Life
In the day's other fixture, the Ranchi Royals ignited their tournament with a spectacular comeback victory. Trailing 1-0 to the defending champions Shrachi Bengal Tigers after a 26th-minute goal from Ketan Kushwaha, the Royals unleashed a four-goal blitz in the final six minutes. Skipper Tom Boon scored twice (54', 60'), while Mandeep Singh (56') and Lachlan Sharp (58') added one each to seal a 4-1 win in front of their home crowd. This result gives the Royals their first three points of the competition.
The loss leaves HIL GC in second place with seven points from three matches. The league table is now tightly poised, setting the stage for an exciting series of upcoming matches as teams jostle for play-off positions.
