Soorma Hockey Club clinched a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers in the Men’s Hero Hockey India League 2024-25. The thrilling encounter unfolded on Monday at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela.
Early Misses Set the Stage
Right from the start, both teams played with high intensity. They created several opportunities and earned penalty corners. However, neither team managed to convert, and the first quarter ended without a goal.
Second Quarter: Soorma Takes Charge
As the second quarter began, Soorma upped their attack. In the 21st minute, Harmanpreet Singh’s pinpoint aerial ball reached Prabhjot Singh at the top of the circle. Prabhjot controlled it brilliantly, turned quickly, and scored with a powerful reverse shot. The goal immediately energized the sparse crowd in Rourkela.
Subsequently, Soorma kept the pressure on. They earned a penalty corner, and Nicolas Della Torre’s initial shot was saved by Jamie Carr. Even though Gurjant Singh tried to capitalize on the rebound, Carr blocked it again. Finally, Maninder Singh pounced on the second rebound and deflected it into the net, doubling Soorma’s lead in the 28th minute.
Third Quarter: Tigers Fight Back
Despite being down, the Bengal Tigers showed resilience. In the 39th minute, they earned a penalty corner. Jugraj Singh, their drag-flick specialist, executed a flawless shot into the corner of the net. This goal narrowed the gap to 2-1 and reignited the Tigers’ hopes.
Final Quarter: Soorma Holds Strong
In the final quarter, the Tigers pushed hard for an equalizer. They created several chances, but Soorma’s defence stood firm. The defenders blocked every attempt and effectively kept the Tigers at bay. As time ran out, Soorma secured the narrow victory.
A Must-Win for Soorma
This victory was crucial for Soorma Hockey Club. It marked only their second outright win in the league. With phase two of the tournament now underway, every win is essential for them to remain in the playoff race.