Captain Harmanpreet strikes twice securing crucial points for Soorma
JSW Soorma Hockey Club finally broke their deadlock to register a commanding first victory in the ongoing Hockey India League 2026. In a high-voltage encounter at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Hockey Stadium on Thursday, the Soorma squad outclassed the HIL Governing Council (GC) team with a decisive 3-1 scoreline.
Leading from the front, captain Harmanpreet Singh proved why he is considered one of the world’s most lethal drag-flickers. He netted a brace (15’, 38’), while the agile Gurjant Singh added a field goal (27’) to seal the deal. On the opposing side, Kane Russell managed to score the solitary goal for HIL GC, allowing him to equal Tom Boon’s league record of 10 goals. Despite this defeat, HIL GC manages to retain a spot in the top two of the points table.
Early Dominance and Precision
Soorma showed their intent right from the first whistle. Their aggressive play earned them a penalty corner just 33 seconds before the end of the first quarter. Harmanpreet Singh made no mistake, converting the opportunity with clinical precision to give his side the lead.
While HIL GC captain Hardik Singh attempted to rally his troops in the second quarter, the momentum remained firmly with JSW Soorma. In the 27th minute, Gurjant Singh showcased individual brilliance. Dribbling down the left flank with incredible pace, he fired a trademark shot past goalkeeper James Mazarelo, doubling the lead to 2-0. The pressure clearly mounted on HIL GC, resulting in a green card for their star scorer Kane Russell right before halftime.
Sealing the Victory
Starting the third quarter with only 10 men, HIL GC struggled to contain the opposition. Capitalizing on the situation, JSW Soorma Hockey Club earned another penalty corner in the 38th minute, which Harmanpreet converted to make it 3-0. Although Kane Russell pulled one back for HIL GC in the 44th minute via a penalty corner, the deficit was too large to overcome.
Statistically, Soorma was the superior side, recording 27 circle penetrations and seven shots on goal compared to HIL GC's 19 entries and four shots.
Speaking after the match, Player of the Match Gurjant Singh highlighted the team's desperation for a win. "Having lost previous games and managing only one shoot-out win, we didn't have a second chance today. It was a must-win game and a total team effort. We want to carry on this momentum," he said.
