Men’s HIL: Hyderabad Toofans beat HIL GC 2-0 in Eliminator to progress to Qualifier 2

Shilanand Lakra scored a brace as Hyderabad Toofans defeated HIL GC 2-0 in the Men’s Hockey India League Eliminator at Bhubaneswar. Arthur De Sloover made crucial saves as Toofans booked their place in Qualifier 2, keeping their final hopes alive

Bhubaneswar: Shilanand Lakra (16’, 39’) stole the show with a brilliant brace as Hyderabad Toofans defeated HIL GC 2-0 in their Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) Playoff Eliminator at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Friday, booking their spot in Qualifier 2 and keeping alive hopes of reaching the final once again.

It was a lively start, but neither side could break the deadlock in the opening quarter. Hyderabad Toofans earned an early penalty corner in the second minute but failed to convert. Soon after, Sam Ward of HIL GC came close to scoring with a deflection, only to be denied by Toofans’ goalkeeper Jean Paul Danneberg. In the 12th minute, Rohit Singh Irengbam almost found the opener for Toofans, but Surender Kumar made a heroic goalline save for HIL GC.

The breakthrough came in the 16th minute when Shilanand Lakra won the ball in a dangerous position, dribbled forward, and scored via a deflection. While Toofans showed attacking intent, HIL GC held possession patiently, waiting for chances.

In the 24th minute, HIL GC earned a penalty corner, but Kane Russell’s powerful dragflick was stopped on the line by Arthur De Sloover. Hyderabad Toofans went into halftime with a slim 1-0 lead.

The third quarter saw Toofans pile on pressure, but HIL GC’s goalkeeper James Mazarelo made crucial saves. In the 39th minute, Toofans earned another penalty corner. Amandeep Lakra flicked towards goal, Mazarelo saved, but Shilanand Lakra pounced on the rebound to double the lead.

HIL GC pressed hard, earning back-to-back penalty corners late in the third quarter, but De Sloover stood firm. In the 53rd minute, Toofans were awarded a penalty stroke, but Zachary Wallace was denied by Mazarelo’s brilliant dive.

With five minutes left, HIL GC replaced their goalkeeper with an outfield player in search of goals. In the 56th minute, Kane Russell tried again from a penalty corner, but De Sloover blocked him for the third time. Despite late pressure, Hyderabad Toofans held on for a clean sheet and a 2-0 win.

Hyderabad Toofans will play Qualifier 2 on Sunday (January 25), while HIL GC will contest the 3rd/4th place playoff for bronze on Monday (January 26).