Hyderabad Toofans earned their first points in the Hockey India League after a thrilling encounter against Delhi SG Pipers at the Birsa Munda Stadium on Tuesday. The match ended 2-2 in regulation time, but Hyderabad held their nerve in the shootout, clinching a dramatic victory.
The game was a clash of contrasting styles. Hyderabad relied on strong defensive play and counterattacks, while Delhi employed an attacking strategy, driven by their young talents Dilraj Singh and Aditya Lalage, and supported by experienced players Shamsher Singh and Rajkumar Pal.
Hyderabad’s approach was clear from the start: penetrate the circle and earn penalty corners. They capitalized early, with Gonzalo Peillat and Amandeep Lakra converting two penalty corners within a minute in the 10th minute, giving Hyderabad a 2-0 lead. Both goals were results of defensive lapses by Delhi, who struggled to contain Hyderabad’s offensive discipline.
Delhi’s Resilience
Despite the setback, Delhi regrouped quickly during a timeout, maintaining composure and focusing on their game plan. Their efforts bore fruit in the 20th minute when a precise diagonal pass from Corey Weyer found Jake Whetton, who set up Dilraj Singh for a lifted finish into the net, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
The second half saw both teams trading possession and control but failing to convert chances. Delhi’s substitute goalkeeper, Benjamin Rennie, played a pivotal role, making a series of saves to keep Hyderabad from extending their lead. Gareth Furlong’s equalizer in the 49th minute, a well-taken penalty corner, brought Delhi back on level terms.
The game headed into a tense shootout after Hyderabad squandered two late penalty corners. Delhi, having won their previous shootout, entered confidently.
The shootout saw both teams locked at 4-4, leaving the outcome to the final attempts by Zachary Wallace for Delhi and Koji Yamasaki for Hyderabad. While Wallace scored, Hyderabad goalkeeper Dominic Dixon made a crucial save against Yamasaki, sealing the win for the Toofans.
Match Summary
– Hyderabad Toofans 2 (Amandeep Lakra 10, Gonzalo Peillat 11)
– Delhi SG Pipers 2 (Dilraj Singh 20, Gareth Furlong 49)
– Hyderabad won via shootout.
This victory marks a crucial morale boost for Hyderabad, whose disciplined play and ability to withstand pressure were key to their success. Delhi, despite the loss, showed resilience and promise, particularly through their young players, keeping them competitive in the league.
