Alexander Hendrickx scores crucial brace to seal final berth
Bhubaneswar: The home crowd at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium had plenty to cheer about on Friday as the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers marched triumphantly into the final of the Men’s Hero Hockey India League. In a tightly contested Qualifier 1 match, the Lancers defeated the Ranchi Royals 2-1, thanks to a stellar performance by drag-flick specialist Alexander Hendrickx.
The victory ensures the Odisha-based franchise a direct ticket to the title clash, bypassing the second qualifier.
Hendrickx Breaks the Deadlock
The match began with the Ranchi Royals dominating possession and testing the Lancers' defense early on. However, the home team—known for having the league's most reliable defense—absorbed the pressure calmly. The momentum shifted in the 12th minute when Alexander Hendrickx stepped up for a penalty corner. He made no mistake, firing a powerful drag-flick into the net to give the Lancers a 1-0 lead.
Despite the Royals creating several chances and earning four penalty corners in the second quarter, they could not break through the Lancers' defensive wall before halftime.
A Tense Finish
The second half started perfectly for the hosts. Just two minutes after the restart (32'), Hendrickx doubled the lead with another lethal penalty corner strike. Trailing 2-0, the Ranchi Royals fought back hard. Their efforts paid off in the 40th minute when Mandeep Singh finished a clever variation move to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
The final quarter turned into a nail-biter. The Royals launched wave after wave of attacks, recording seven circle entries in a desperate bid for an equalizer. The Lancers also came agonizingly close to a third goal when Rosan Kujur’s shot deflected off the crossbar. Ultimately, the Kalinga Lancers held their nerve to secure the win.
What Lies Ahead?
While the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers prepare for the grand final, the Ranchi Royals have one last chance to qualify. They will face the Hyderabad Toofans in Qualifier 2 on Sunday, January 25, at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium.
Image Source: Hockey India League
