A dominant first-quarter display propelled the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers to a thrilling 5-3 victory over the UP Rudras in the Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Rourkela, on Wednesday.
Gauthier Boccard (8’), Jugraj Singh (10’, 33’), Sukhjeet Singh (14’), and Abhishek (46’) scored for the Tigers, while Hardik Singh (47’) and Sam Ward (51’, 59’) provided late goals for the Rudras, who fell just short of a comeback.
The Rudras started brightly, with forwards Sudeep Chirmako and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay threatening early but failing to test Tigers goalkeeper Jamie Carr. Their inability to capitalize proved costly when Boccard opened the scoring in the 8th minute, weaving through defenders to slot the ball past James Mazarelo.
Jugraj Singh doubled the lead two minutes later with a powerful penalty corner drag flick, breaking the Rudras’ perfect defensive record against penalty corners this season. The Tigers struck again in the 14th minute when Sukhjeet Singh scored on the rebound after Mazarelo saved Sebastien Dockier’s initial attempt, marking the 100th goal of the tournament. Despite protests from the Rudras over a potential foul in the build-up, the goal stood after review, giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
For the Latest Sports News: Click Here
The second quarter saw the Rudras attempt to claw their way back, but strong defense and Mazarelo’s saves kept the Tigers at bay. A penalty corner opportunity for the Rudras just before halftime was denied, and the Tigers maintained their three-goal advantage.
Jugraj Singh extended the lead to 4-0 early in the third quarter, converting another penalty corner to tie for the league’s top scorer. The Rudras came close to scoring in the 40th minute, but Florent van Aubel cleared Kane Russell’s deflected effort off the line with a stunning defensive play.
The Tigers added a fifth goal early in the final quarter through Abhishek, who executed a clever dummy before firing past Prashant Kumar Chauhan. However, the Rudras fought back with a penalty stroke goal from captain Hardik Singh in the 47th minute, followed by Sam Ward’s two late penalty corner goals in the 51st and 59th minutes.
Despite the Rudras’ late surge, the Tigers held firm to secure the win, climbing to second place in the standings with 12 points. The Rudras dropped to fourth with nine points, leaving them with work to do in the competition.
Also Read: Soorma Hockey Club Begin Women’s HIL 2024-25 Campaign with Dominant 4-1 Win Over Rarh Bengal Tigers