BHUBANESWAR: In a nail-biting encounter, Shrachi Bengal Tigers overcame a two-goal deficit to secure a 3-2 victory against the SG Pipers in their final pool stage clash of the Men’s Hockey India League at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Sunday. Dilraj Singh (4′) and Tomas Domene (31′) put the Pipers ahead, but the Tigers roared back with goals from Jugraj Singh (45′), Abhishek (45′), and Affan Yousuf (48′). The triumph keeps the Tigers in the fray with a narrow hope of a top-four finish and a potential bid for the title.
The Tigers opened with sharp passing and slick link-up play, but their defence was caught cold in the fourth minute. The Pipers struck first with a sweeping move built from the back. Aditya Lalage surged forward and slipped a precise pass to Dilraj Singh, who buried it with a reverse-hit from close range.
The second quarter saw end-to-end action. The Tigers came close to an equaliser when Findlay found Gursewak Singh wide open in the circle, but the ensuing shot was swiftly dealt with by Pipers goalkeeper, Pawan. The Pipers extended their lead early in the third quarter from a penalty corner. Tomas Domene’s powerful shot from the top deflected off the first charger, Abhishek, and rolled into the back of the net.
It was Jugraj Singh who finally got the better of Pawan in the 45th minute. In yet another penalty corner, Jugraj Singh flicked Abhishek’s injection to keep his side in the contest. Seconds later, the scores were levelled. An ambitious long ball from Boccard Gauthier was expertly controlled by Abhishek, before his sizzling shot raced past the goalkeeper.