Team Gonasika delivered a strong performance to defeat Tamil Nadu Dragons 4-2 in a Pool B match of the Men’s Hero Hockey India League 2024-25 at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela on Saturday. Goals for Gonasika came from Araijeet Singh Hundal (14’), Jack Waller (45’), Tim Howard (50’), and Chandanda Nikkin Thimmaiah (51’). Amit Rohidas (8’) and Tom Craig (56’) scored for the Dragons.
Despite the loss, Tamil Nadu Dragons retained the top spot on the points table with 17 points from nine matches. Gonasika remained in seventh place with 10 points from the same number of games.
The match began with Gonasika adopting an aggressive approach, earning a penalty corner within the first minute. However, the Dragons’ defense held firm and counterattacked swiftly, earning their own penalty corner. Amit Rohidas (8’) made no mistake, giving the Dragons an early 1-0 lead with a precise finish.
Buoyed by the lead, the Dragons controlled possession and dictated the tempo. Gonasika responded with a counterattacking strategy that soon paid off. Struan Walker set up Araijeet Singh Hundal (14’) with a pinpoint pass, allowing him to level the score with a powerful shot. The first quarter ended 1-1, setting up a thrilling contest.
In the second quarter, both teams exchanged attacking moves, with multiple circle entries on either side. Gonasika created chances and earned two penalty corners but failed to convert. The Dragons, too, were unable to break through, leaving the halftime score locked at 1-1.
The third quarter saw Gonasika start on the front foot, earning an early penalty corner. However, Dragons goalkeeper David Harte made a fine save to keep the scores level. The Dragons then increased their offensive pressure, earning two consecutive penalty corners but failing to convert either.
Gonasika eventually broke the deadlock when Jack Waller (45’) deflected a pass from Manpreet Singh to convert a penalty corner, putting his team ahead 2-1 as the third quarter ended.
Gonasika carried their momentum into the final quarter, quickly extending their lead. Captain Tim Howard (50’) capitalized on a long pass from Jack Waller, scoring to make it 3-1. A minute later, Chandanda Nikkin Thimmaiah (51’) finished off a well-executed team move to stretch the lead to 4-1.
The Dragons, facing a steep deficit, adopted an aggressive attacking strategy. Their persistence paid off when Tom Craig (56’) scored to narrow the gap to 4-2. However, Gonasika held firm for the remainder of the match, securing a well-deserved 4-2 victory.