Soorma Hockey Club secured an exhilarating 3-1 victory in the shootout against Hyderabad Toofans after a 1-1 draw in regulation time during the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium. Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored for Soorma Hockey Club in the 20th minute, while Amandeep Lakra netted the equalizer for Hyderabad Toofans in the 46th minute.
Match Overview
In the first quarter, both teams displayed aggressive gameplay, resulting in several circle entries and opportunities. However, resilient defending from both sides prevented any goals. JSW Soorma Hockey Club came out strong and earned their first penalty corner in the third minute, but Harmanpreet Singh’s effort was denied by the first rusher.
Shortly after, Soorma continued to apply pressure with two promising attempts on goal, yet Hyderabad’s goalkeeper Bikramjit Singh made remarkable consecutive saves to keep the score level. The eighth minute saw Hyderabad Toofans win three penalty corners in a row, but Soorma’s defense held firm.
Second Quarter Action
The second quarter saw the game open up further when Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner in the 20th minute with a low drag flick into the bottom left corner, giving JSW Soorma Hockey Club the lead. Soorma maintained control for the remainder of the quarter, heading into the second half with a slender advantage.
In the 34th minute, Hyderabad Toofans came very close to scoring, with Amandeep Lakra’s powerful penalty corner flick just missing the target. Four minutes later, Soorma was awarded another penalty corner, but Jeremy Hayward’s shot was brilliantly saved again by Bikramjit Singh.
Final Quarter Drama
As the final quarter began, Hyderabad Toofans earned a crucial penalty corner. Amandeep Lakra (46′) capitalized with a strong drag flick to equalize the score. In the 54th minute, Devindar Walmiki created a good chance, supplying an incisive pass to Tim Brand, whose deflection narrowly missed the goal.
Hyderabad Toofans pressed hard in the closing stages, with Arshdeep Singh managing to get a back-handed shot off, but JSW Soorma Hockey Club goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch made a critical save, leading to a shootout.
Shootout Showdown
JSW Soorma Hockey Club triumphed in the shootout by 3-1, with Harmanpreet Singh and Nicolas Keenan successfully converting their attempts. In a tense moment, Toofans’ goalkeeper Bikramjit Singh committed a penalty stroke for a stick-check during Nicolas della Torre’s attempt. Harmanpreet Singh stepped up once more and capped off his stellar performance by converting the stroke, securing the bonus point for JSW Soorma Hockey Club.