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Hockey India League
Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers showcased defensive solidity and strategic execution when it mattered most, which was key to their triumph in the Hockey India League, captain Rupinder Singh said. The Bengal side secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over Hyderabad Toofans to lift the Hero Hockey India League 2024-25 title. We made a conscious effort to strengthen our defense after the semifinal. In the final, capitalising on our opportunities was essential, and we did just that," Rupinder said in a release. "We also worked on refining our penalty corner strategies and maintaining maximum possession, all of which helped us turn the game in our favor." The Tigers' path to glory was anything but easy. Having topped the league stage with 19 points from 10 matches, they faced a tough semifinal against Tamil Nadu Dragons, which ended in a 2-2 draw before they prevailed 6-5 in the shootout. With lessons learnt from that close contest, the team approached the final with a refined tactical approach.
Jugraj Singh scored a hat-trick as Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers clinched the men's Hockey India League title after beating Hyderabad Toofans 4-3 in the summit clash here on Saturday. Jugraj scored in the 25th, 32nd and 35th minutes, while Sam Lane (54th) added another goal for Bengal Tigers. Gonzalo Peillat (9th and 39th) and Amandeep Lakra (26th) were the scorers for the Toofans. HIL, which began on December 28, 2024, was revived after a gap of seven years.
Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers booked their place in the final of the Hockey India League, defeating Tamil Nadu Dragons 6-5 in a dramatic penalty shoot out here on Friday. Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers came back from a goal down twice before forcing a penalty shootout as the score was tied 2-2 in regulation time. Pardeep Singh Sandhu (30') and Sam Lane (53') scored for the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, while Nathan Ephraums (18') and Selvam Karthi (32') scored for the Tamil Nadu Dragons. The opening goal came in the 18th minute as the Dragons took the lead. Mohammed Raheel went on an amazing run to progress to the circle before playing the ball towards goal. Nathan Ephraums dove in to deflect the ball past Carr into goal. The Tigers equalised through Pardeep Singh Sandhu. It was Abhishek who created the goal as he dribbled past his marker to go one-on-one with Harte. The Dragons goalkeeper charged off his line only to see Abhishek scoop the ball to Pardeep to his right for the easiest of .
Dutch exponent Yibbi Jansen scored a brace as Odisha Warriors thrashed Delhi SG Pipers 4-0 in the opening match of the inaugural Women's Hockey India League, which got underway here on Sunday. Besides Jansen (16' and 37'), Baljeet Kaur (42') and Freeke Moes (43') scored for the winners. The first quarter was a cautious affair as both teams took their time to get into a rhythm. The Pipers and the Warriors had a couple of half chances but were unable to find the finishing touch as the first quarter ended goalless. Jansen scored the first goal after the Warriors won a penalty corner in the 16th minute. The Dutch player, one of the best drag-flickers in the game, made no mistake as she sent the flick flying past goalkeeper Elodie Picard. The Pipers won their first penalty corner in the 21st minute but the injection was not trapped cleanly. The Warriors doubled their lead midway through the third quarter with Jansen once again on target. The Dutch star fired her drag-flick into the cor
The upcoming Hockey India League, which is being revived after seven years, will be telecast live on the country's national broadcaster, Prasar Bharati. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard was signed in a ceremony between Abhishek Agarwal, Deputy Director General Sports, Prasar Bharati, and Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh. Set to commence on December 28 in Rourkela, HIL will be broadcast live across the nation through Doordarshan and Prasar Bharati's new OTT platform -- Waves. This edition of the HIL is path-breaking because it will feature the inaugural season of the women's league alongside the men's competition. While the men's competition will be played in Rourkela, a four-team maiden tournament for the women will be hosted at Ranchi. Navneet Sehgal, chairman Prasar Bharati, emphasised the importance of this partnership. "This is a proud moment for hockey, a sport that has captured the hearts of millions of Indians, and for Prasar Bharati, as
Valentin Altenburg, who led Germany to a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was on Thursday named the head of Vedanta Kalinga Lancers' coaching staff for the upcoming Hockey India League. A respected figure in international hockey with over a decade of experience, the 43-year-old is the youngest senior men's coach in Germany's hockey history. He has also guided the national team to silver medals at the European Championships in 2019 and 2021, and a bronze in 2023. "I've always admired Indian hockey, and I'm grateful to the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers for giving me this opportunity," Altenburg was quoted as saying in a release. "We have a healthy mix of young and experienced national and international players in the squad. I can't wait to get started and contribute to the team's success." David John , the strategy director for Lancers, said the German has worked with Indian players and has coached at the highest levels. "His Olympic experience and practical approach to coaching wi
Harmanpreet Singh and Udita Duhan can't wait to enthrall fans with their dazzling stickwork after walking away with the best bids in the men's and women's section at the Hockey India League auctions. While Harmanpreet was bagged by Soorma Hockey Club, representing Punjab and Haryana for a whopping Rs 78 lakh on the first day of the three-day auction, Udita was acquired by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for Rs 32 lakh on Tuesday. The upcoming edition of the event holds greater significance as the Women's HIL will make its debut and will run co-currently with the men's league in two venues -- Ranchi (men) and Rourkela (women). The men's HIL will feature eight teams, while the inaugural women's event will have four teams, and expectedly Harmanpreet was ecstatic to witness the league's grand return. "I am elated that the Hockey India League is back and in marvellous fashion. I was on the edge of my seat when my name came up during the auction, mentally hoping and urging Sardar Singh to bid
Indian defender Udita Duhan emerged as the costliest buy in the first half of the Hockey India League women's auction after she was acquired by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for Rs 32 lakh here on Tuesday. Dutch star drag-flicker Yibbi Janssen was the second most expensive player and was bought by Odisha Warriors for Rs 29 lakh. Indian players Lalremsiami (for Rs 25 lakh to Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers), Sunelita Toppo (for Rs 24 lakh to Delhi SG Pipers), and Sangita Kumari (for Rs 22 lakh to Delhi SG Pipers) attracted significant attention in the first half of the auction. Several overseas players, including Belgium's Charlotte Englebert (for Rs 16 lakh to Soorma Hockey Club), Germany's Charlotte Stapenhorst (for Rs 16 lakh to Soorma Hockey Club), and Australia's Jocelyn Bartram (for Rs 15 lakh to Odisha Warriors) were the notable buys. Veteran India striker Vandana Katariya fetched Rs 10.5 lakh from Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers. India captain Salima Tete (Rs 20 lakh), Ishika Chaudhary