Rourkela, Jan 8 Hyderabad Toofans came up with an inspired performance to beat UP Rudras 3-0 to register their first out-right victory in the Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 at the Birsa Munda Stadium here on Wednesday. Goals by Zachary Wallace (6'), Rajinder Singh (14'), and Shilanand Lakra (32') helped Toofans seal the winning points and claw their way back to No.5 on the points table.
Placed in the bottom of the points table, Hyderabad Toofans showcased their intent to win right from the start. With good attacking structure on display, they took an early 2-0 lead in the first quarter of the game. It was a stupendous back-handed shot by Zachary Wallace that fetched them the first goal of the game in the sixth minute while attacking midfielder Nilakanta Sharma set up Rajinder Singh to score a splendid field goal in the 14th minute.
Starting the game on the back foot, UP Rudras looked to bounce back in the second quarter. They managed a fine chance through a PC. A good injection by Hardik Singh was picked up well by Kane Russell but it was brilliantly stopped by Toofans' goalie Dominic Dixon. Though Hardik picked up the rebound and took a shot on the goal himself, Dixon was impeccable in his duty. In the following minutes, Toofans too bagged a PC but could not extend the lead.
The third quarter began with Toofans boosting their scoreline to 3-0 in the 32nd minute. An interception when Hardik was with the ball, led to Toofans setting up Shilanand Lakra to score the goal. A shot went in between the legs of UP Rudras' goalie Prashant Kumar Chauhan to the goalpost. This goal really put Rudras under pressure.
In the 49th minute of the game, Floris Wortelboer helped Rudras win a crucial PC. Hardik was perfect with his injection yet again but Dixon managed to keep Russell's effort out. There were two back-to-back PCs awarded to the Toofans' captain Sumit made a diving effort to clear the ball.
With six minutes left on the clock, Rudras won another PC, but Sam Ward's shot went wide. Meanwhile, with just 46 seconds left for the final hooter, Toofans earned a PC. Gonzalo Peillat's flick had a lot of pace but went straight to goalie James Mazarelo. On re-award Peillat made another attempt but the injection was not good enough to see it through. However, they did well to hold on to the 3-0 lead and win their first game at the HIL.
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