The Tamil Nadu Dragons thus earned a crucial bonus point, while the Kalinga Lancers stayed on bottom of the eight-team Hockey India League 2024-25 table
Tamil Nadu Dragons lifted their gameplay when it mattered, coming from behind twice to first salvage a 2-2 draw, then eke out a 6-5 win in the penalty shootout against Kalinga Lancers in the Hockey India League 2024-25 in Rourkela on Friday (January 3). (Highlights | More Hockey News)
The Dragons thus earned a crucial bonus point, while the Lancers stayed on bottom of the eight-team table.
It was Jip Janssen's 51st minute goal that hampered Lancers' plans to clinch a winner after they were leading 2-1. Alexander Hendrickx' brace (24', 43') had put the Lancers ahead in regulation time while Tom Craig (31') also scored for the Dragons. Experienced goalie David Harte later starred in the shootouts for the Dragons.
Earlier in the game, the tourists were quick to get off to a fiery start with Thomas Sorsby fetching an early penalty corner for them in only the first minute of the game. On a re-award of PC following a video referral by the Lancers, Janssen used fine pace to flick it but unfortunately went off-target.
The following minutes in the first quarter saw the Lancers forwardline involving Dilpreet Singh, Gursahibjit Singh and Angad Bir Singh make aggressive forays into the striking circle but none resulted in a successful conversion.
After a 0-0 stalemate in the first quarter, it was the Lancers who were finally able to draw the first blood when they won a PC in the 24th minute. Alexander Hendrickx used his might to score from the PC with a sensational dragflick.
This 1-0 lead gave the Lancers the right cushion to build on their game. Only minutes before the second hooter, Angad Bir Singh showcased his dribbling skills to rush into the circle from the right flank, and successfully win a PC for the Lancers. This was great opportunity for them to extend the lead to 2-0 but the chance went abegging after poor trapping on the top of the circle.
Meanwhile, just 45 seconds into the third quarter, the Dragons bounced back, with Tom Craig equalising with a powerful tomahawk. He capitalized on a lose ball at the top of the circle, beat the man tackling him, and sent the ball flying past Krishan Pathak.
The following minutes remained tense with both teams playing on-par with each other, however it was Lancers who brought cheer to the local crowd when Hendrickx scored from yet another PC.
The 2-1 lead gave Kalinga Lancers good headway going into the final quarter. Only 90 seconds into this quarter, a defensive error by the Dragons gave away a crucial PC. Hendrickx on a hat-trick couldn't make much of the chance though.
On the other hand, Shesha Gowda helped Tamil Nadu Dragons win a PC which changed the course of the game. Janssen was bang on target to level the score 2-2. Minutes later, Dragons won another PC but Blake Govers' dragflick was well-saved by Krishan Pathak.
The final moments of the match was intense, with Lancers winning a PC via Gursahibjit but a lead eluded them as the match went into a shootout.