The Kalinga Lancers began the men’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2026 season on a high note with a 4-2 victory over Ranchi Royals at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai on Monday. Alexander Hendrickx (7’, 28’) and Gursahibjit Singh (16’, 26’) each scored two goals, helping the Lancers recover from an early deficit and secure their first points of the season.
Match Summary
The Lancers adapted quickly after conceding an early goal, initially trailing 1-2 in the first quarter. They improved their structure and ball circulation significantly. Hendrickx equalised with a well-taken penalty corner, while Gursahibjit Singh scored two field goals in the second quarter to give Kalinga Lancers the lead. Later, Hendrickx converted another penalty corner before halftime, extending their advantage to two goals.
Second Half Control
Kalinga Lancers maintained their discipline in the second half, absorbing pressure and defending strongly to hold onto their lead. They successfully prevented several penalty corner opportunities and maintained control as the match neared its conclusion, culminating in a well-deserved victory.
Player Reflections
Double goal scorer Gursahibjit Singh expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It feels really good that I was able to net 2 goals, and it was a complete team effort. Our focus is to improve match by match and finish well on the podium.” He highlighted the positive dynamics within the team, saying, “It’s a great learning experience for all of us young players. The team is bonding really well, and we want to keep improving that.”
Coaching Insights
Head coach Jay Stacy spoke about the team’s progress, indicating, “It’s going pretty well. From our camp in Bhubaneswar, the boys started to get to know each other right from the start. Off the pitch, there was good energy from the beginning. On the pitch, there was some early miscommunication, but that has been improving with every session and continued to grow in this match.”
He further assessed the league’s competitive nature, adding, “All teams in this league are very strong, with quality foreign and Indian players, so the focus for us is on our structures and discipline within those structures.”
Highlighting areas for improvement, Stacy remarked, “I think we worked very hard in defence as a team. There is still room to improve, but the effort was strong. Moving forward into attack, we can look to improve our flow at the right times. Our decision-making on when to counterattack and when to build with possession is an area we can continue to refine.”
Key Takeaways
Summarising his thoughts, Stacy added, “Game management is important. When we are leading, we need to avoid unnecessary risks and adapt to the situation. Holding the ball when required and choosing the right moments to attack will be important because most matches are going to be close.”
Looking ahead, Kalinga Lancers will face defending champions Shrachi Bengal Tigers in their next fixture on January 8.