Young drag-flicker Amandeep Lakra scored a crucial equaliser, and goalkeeper Dominic Dixon made some vital saves in the penalty shootout as Hyderabad Toofans edged out JSW Soorma Club via sudden death in a cliff-hanger in the Hockey India League at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium here on Saturday.
Following a 1-1 draw in the regulation period, Toofans held their nerve to win the shootouts 4-3 and claim an important bonus point from their third win.
Toofans made more circle entries but could not make the most of a couple of chances in the opening quarter.
Soorma’s attacks looked more effective. Nicolas della Torre earned the first penalty corner and converted it in the eighth minute. His drag-flick deflected off Toofans’ first rusher’s stick to beat goalkeeper Vikas Dahiya.
Against some gritty and clinical defence of Soorma, Toofans continued to grapple with their finishing woes and spoilt at least three more field goal opportunities in the second quarter.
Arshdeep Singh missed a sitter. Later, Darshan Gawkar and Talwinder Singh also wasted opportunities.
AS IT HAPPENED: Toofans vs Soorma; Rudras vs Pipers HIGHLIGHTS
Toofans thwarted Soorma’s second short corner before converting their first, thanks to two local lads, to level the scores in the penultimate quarter. Shilanand Lakra injected perfectly, and Amandeep made no mistake in putting it past seasoned custodian Vincent Vanasch.
Toofans pressed hard to create more chances but could not find success.
Soorma, who missed the services of Harmanpreet Singh after the team’s captain injured his left leg with a minute and 47 seconds left, earned two more short corners in the closing seconds, but Toofans foiled those to take the contest to the tie-breaker.
The deadlock continued as both ‘keepers, Vanasch and Dixon, did well in the first five shots of the shootouts. Zachary Wallace found the target, while Nicolas Poncelet shot wide in sudden death to the delight of Toofans.
UP Rudras rallied to defeat Delhi SG Pipers 3-1 and script its third victory. Floris Wortelboer, Kane Russell and Tanguy Cosyns found the net for Rudras, while Jake Whetton scored the solitary goal for the Pipers.
The results
Hyderabad Toofans 1 (Amandeep 40) drew with JSW Soorma Hockey Club 1 (della Torre 8), Toofans bt Soorma 4-3 in shootout; UP Rudras 3 (Wortelboer 30, Russell 43, Tanguy 54) bt Delhi SG Pipers 1 (Whetton 29).
