The opening match of the Hockey India League season delivered a heart-stopping spectacle as the Tamil Nadu Dragons and the Hyderabad Toofans battled to a pulsating 3-3 draw, with the Dragons ultimately clinching the bonus point thanks to a shootout masterclass from their goalkeeper, Princedeep Singh.
A Goalkeeper's Redemption on Familiar Turf
In a dramatic finale at Chennai's Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, it was the young custodian Princedeep Singh who emerged as the hero. Brought onto the field specifically for the penalty shootout, the Pathankot-born goalkeeper replicated his Junior World Cup heroics on the very same ground. Inspired by legendary Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, Princedeep made two crucial saves to deny the Toofans and secure the extra point for the Dragons.
This decisive moment came after an end-to-end contest that saw the scoreline swing back and forth. The Dragons had raced to an early two-goal lead, only for the Toofans to fight back with equal determination, setting the stage for the goalkeeper's late intervention.
The Rollercoaster of Goals
The match exploded into action from the first whistle, played at a relentless pace. Tamil Nadu Dragons struck first through Uttam Singh in the 4th minute, quickly doubling their advantage when Thomas Sorsby found the net in the 9th minute.
However, the Hyderabad Toofans, last season's finalists, showcased their resilience. Amandeep Lakra stepped up brilliantly in the absence of the injured drag-flick specialist Gonzalo Peillat. He pulled one back for the Toofans in the 12th minute with a powerful flick and then completed his brace just six minutes later in the 18th minute, leveling the scores at 2-2 with another stunning effort.
The Dragons regained the lead in the 32nd minute through a sensational team goal. Midfielder Tom Craig initiated the move with an incredible full-length diving pass in midfield, which was finished with a diving effort by local favorite Karthi Selvam. The Toofans were not done, as Arthur De Sloover produced a moment of individual brilliance, scoring from a near-impossible angle in the 37th minute to make it 3-3.
Defensive Heroics Seal a Point
While both teams' goalkeepers, David Harte and Jean Paul Danneberg, made important saves during regulation time, the most critical defensive act came from a field player. With less than ten seconds remaining on the clock, the Dragons launched a blistering counter-attack. A long, grounded pass entered the Toofans' circle, threatening a last-gasp winner.
Amandeep Lakra, the two-goal hero, transformed into a savior at the back. He sprinted across and launched himself forward, using his outstretched stick to block the pass in a goal-saving tackle. His celebration mirrored that of a match-winning goal, and his effort rightfully earned his team a hard-fought point from the draw.
The match had everything: spectacular goals, breathtaking saves, and nail-biting drama. It served as a perfect advertisement for the high-octane action promised by the Hockey India League, setting a thrilling precedent for the season ahead.
