Hyderabad Toofans delivered a stellar performance, defeating Tamil Nadu Dragons 4-0 during the Ranchi leg of the Men’s Hero Hockey India League 2024-25 on Saturday. The match, held at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, marked the Dragons’ first defeat of the season. As a result, Hyderabad climbed to second place on the league table with 13 points from seven matches, trailing the Dragons by just two points.
A Competitive Start
At first, both teams looked evenly matched. Tamil Nadu created an early opportunity through a penalty corner; however, Vikas Dahiya made an excellent save to deny Blake Govers. Similarly, Hyderabad came close to scoring in the final moments of the first quarter. Arthur de Sloover set up Maico Casella, but David Harte’s crucial save kept the scoreline level.
Peillat Breaks the Deadlock
In the second quarter, Hyderabad finally took the lead. In the 21st minute, they earned a penalty corner. Gonzalo Peillat seized the opportunity and unleashed a powerful drag flick into the top corner, giving the Toofans a 1-0 advantage.
Quick Goals After Halftime
After halftime, Hyderabad continued to dominate. Just a minute into the third quarter, Arthur de Sloover recovered from a missed trap and smashed the ball into the net, doubling the lead. Shortly after, Tim Brand extended the advantage by deflecting Jacob Anderson’s pass into the goal. Within three minutes, Hyderabad had built a commanding 3-0 lead.
Dragons Fail to Respond
Meanwhile, the Dragons struggled to find their rhythm. Despite creating a few chances, their attack lacked precision. Blake Govers, usually a reliable scorer, failed to convert opportunities. On the other hand, Hyderabad’s defence remained solid, frustrating the Dragons’ forwards at every turn.
Peillat Strikes Again
In the final quarter, Hyderabad showed no signs of slowing down. Peillat scored his second goal of the match, converting the team’s 17th penalty corner with a precise flick between the goalkeeper and the post defender. Even with an extra player in the closing minutes, following Talwinder Singh’s yellow card, Tamil Nadu failed to find the back of the net.
Hyderabad Takes Control of the Game
Throughout the match, Hyderabad dominated possession and earned 18 penalty corners. Their relentless pressure overwhelmed Tamil Nadu, leaving the Dragons with no answers.
In conclusion, this emphatic win not only handed Tamil Nadu their first loss but also reignited Hyderabad’s title hopes. The league standings remain tight, with the race for the top spot heating up.