Bhubaneswar: Hockey fans at the Kalinga Stadium witnessed a pulsating finish on Wednesday as the Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons defeated the Ranchi Royals 4-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout. This thrilling encounter in the Men's Hero Hockey India League ended with a 3-3 deadlock in regulation time, forcing the game into a decisive shootout.
Despite the loss, the match result was favorable for the Ranchi Royals. By securing a crucial point from the draw, the Royals cemented their second-place finish on the points table. This sets up a massive showdown for local fans, as Ranchi will now face the home favorites, Kalinga Lancers, in Qualifier 1 on Friday.
Fast Start and spirited Comeback
The match began with lightning speed. Within just 28 seconds, veteran forward Mandeep Singh gave the Royals a 1-0 lead, pouncing on a rebound from close range. The Royals doubled their advantage in the ninth minute when captain Tom Boon converted a penalty corner opportunity, beating Dragons' goalkeeper David Harte.
However, the Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons refused to back down. The momentum shifted in the second quarter when Blake Govers fired a drag-flick into the net in the 24th minute, narrowing the deficit to 2-1.
End-to-End Action
The second half saw relentless attacking from both sides. Karthi Selvam leveled the score for the Dragons shortly after the break with a simple tap-in. The Royals responded quickly, with Tom Boon netting his second goal via a penalty stroke to make it 3-2.
Persistence paid off for the Dragons in the final quarter. In the 53rd minute, Blake Govers struck again from a penalty corner to equalize at 3-3. A late attempt by the Royals was saved by goalkeeper Suraj Karkera, pushing the game to a shootout where the Dragons held their nerve to win 4-2.
Playoff Picture
Elsewhere in the league, the Hyderabad Toofans have confirmed their playoff berth. The final spot remains open, with JSW Soorma needing a massive seven-goal victory against SG Pipers tomorrow to overtake HIL GC.
Image Source: Hockey India League
