It took Ranchi Royals forward Araijeet Singh Hundal just 40 seconds to find space inside the circle among a crowd of defenders and win a Penalty Corner for Ranchi Royals from which FIH World Player of the Year 2025 Tom Boon fired a bullet past Krishan Pathak in goal. Then in the ninth minute, Mandeep Singh converted with a cheeky touch from close range after a flowing pass move, with Pathak’s positioning questionable once more as Kalinga Lancers trailed 1-2. It must have brought back memories of last season when the franchise scored freely, but conceded with equal regularity to eventually miss out on top four, despite arguably having one of the best squads on paper.
But what followed in the remaining three quarters augurs well for Lancers as they displayed most of their good attacking traits while marrying that with solid defensive structure. Three goals flowed in the second quarter as they went from 1-2 to 4-2. They then kept that score intact with a mature display in the second half where they were still the better attacking side despite Royals attempting to find a way back into the game. Alexander Hendrickx (7′, 28′) once again served up a reminder of his drag-flicking class while Gursahibjit Singh (16′, 26′) scored two well-taken close-range goals. For Harendra Singh-coached Royals, Boon (1′) and Mandeep (9′) were the goalscorers and Araijeet impressed in flashes on his return from injury after missing the Junior World Cup.
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Speaking to The Indian Express before the season, Lancers co-captain Arthur van Doren had said the franchise was aware of improving their defensive record. “We scored so many goals but I think we struggled with our PC defense, I think that was the main problem. So yeah, if we make sure we have that in order, we already eliminate half the goals. So we need to make sure we have our defence checked off,” he said. That Pathak’s defence restricted Royals to one goal from six corners would encourage van Doren and Co.
While Hendrickx continues to remain their main threat from setpieces, Gursahibjit’s two goals would encourage new head coach Jay Stacy, the legendary former Australian player who has taken over from Valentin Altenburg.
Tigers start defence with win
In a battle between two sides led by India’s ace dragflickers – Harmanpreet Singh and Jugraj Singh – neither managed to get on the scoresheet but defending champions Bengal Tigers were deserved 3-1 winners against Soorma Hockey Club. All four goals came through Indians with Sukhjeet Singh (33’), Abhishek (45’) and Gursewak Singh (60’) on the scoresheet for Tigers, while Prabhjot Singh (54’) scored for Soorma late in the match in what was a consolation strike. Soorma paid the price for not forcing attacking opportunities and creating PC situations for Harmanpreet to step in. At the end of a cagey first half that ended 0-0, veteran goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch’s fantastic double save kept Soorma in the contest. But Tigers came alive in the second, with the highlight of the night being the sensational reverse hit from the left channel by Abhishek that left even Vanasch stunned for just the sheer velocity of it.
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