Soorma Hockey Club secured a thrilling 2-2 (3-1 SO) penalty shootout win over the Delhi SG Pipers in the Hero Hockey India League 2024-25 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Rourkela. After a goalless first half, Tomas Domene (43’) and Manjeet Singh (45’) gave the Pipers a two-goal cushion in the third quarter. However, Harmanpreet Singh (48’, 57’) struck twice with powerful drag flicks in the final quarter to level the score and force the game into shootouts.
Soorma began with slight dominance in possession, but it was the Pipers who first threatened the goal five minutes in, though Jake Whetton’s shot missed the target. Shortly after, the Pipers earned a penalty corner, but Domene’s attempt was comfortably cleared by Nicolas Della Torre. In contrast, Soorma’s only shot on target came late in the first quarter when Maninder Singh broke into the circle and fired at goal, but Pipers’ goalkeeper Benjamin Rennie made a routine save.
The Pipers maintained their attacking momentum in the second quarter, earning another penalty corner, but Domene’s drag flick went straight to Soorma’s keeper Vincent Vanasch. Soorma adopted a defensive half-court press, allowing the Pipers to dominate possession, yet clear chances remained scarce. Raj Kumar Pal’s reverse shot from a tight angle posed the biggest threat late in the quarter, but Vanasch was equal to the challenge, leaving the first half deadlocked at 0-0.
The third quarter opened with Shamsher Singh’s quick shot from an aerial pass, which struck the post. Soorma earned their first penalty corner shortly after, but Della Torre’s low flick was deflected away. Undeterred, the Pipers broke the deadlock when Ky Willot set up Domene, who slipped the ball through Vanasch’s legs to open the scoring. Minutes later, Jake Whetton’s cross found Manjeet Singh, who dived to deflect the ball into the roof of the net, doubling the Pipers’ lead.
Soorma responded strongly in the final quarter, pushing the Pipers onto the back foot. Phil Roper and Maninder Singh both had shots saved, but Soorma soon earned a penalty corner. Harmanpreet Singh capitalized, firing a powerful drag flick through Rennie’s legs to pull one back. With four minutes left, Soorma earned another penalty corner, and Harmanpreet struck again, finding the bottom corner to level the game.
In the penalty shootout, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Nicolas Keenan, and Boris Burkhardt converted for Soorma, while Vanasch’s three crucial saves secured the bonus point and a memorable victory.