JSW Soorma Hockey Club delivered a stunning performance to beat league leaders Vedanta Kalinga Lancers 2-1 in Match 26 of the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26 season at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium.
In their final league match, the table-topping Lancers struggled against a resilient Soorma side, whose composure kept their slim playoff aspirations alive. Victor Wegnez was named Player of the Match for his remarkable work rate in both attack and defense.
Match Overview
The match began cautiously, with both teams prioritizing safety for the first five minutes. The Lancers created the first opening in the 6th minute through Henderson, but the Soorma defense stood firm. Although the Lancers controlled possession, Soorma looked dangerous on the counter, winning the first penalty corner in the 10th minute. However, Harmanpreet Singh’s drag-flick fired wide of the target. In the final minute of the first quarter, the Lancers nearly took the lead via a penalty corner, but goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch produced two impressive saves to ensure the first quarter ended goalless.
Key Moments
The second quarter saw both sides maintaining a disciplined structure. Soorma captain Harmanpreet Singh attempted to set up Lucas Martinez in the 17th minute, but the forward couldn’t find the decisive touch. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 23rd minute after a period of consistent passing. Nicolas Keenan made a surging run from the left flank; while goalkeeper Snowden saved his initial shot, Jeetpal pounced on the rebound to give Soorma a 1-0 lead. Frustrations mounted for the Lancers as they struggled to equalise, culminating in Dilpreet Singh receiving a 10-minute yellow card in the dying moments of the half.
Second Half Action
Starting the second half with a man advantage, Soorma applied immediate pressure. They earned a penalty corner in the 35th minute, forcing a superb save from Krishan Pathak off a near-perfect Harmanpreet drag-flick. Moments later, Soorma won a succession of penalty corners. In the 38th minute, they opted for a tactical variation; instead of a direct shot, the ball was slipped to Vivek Sagar Prasad, who slotted it into the net to make it 2-0.
The Lancers responded with a heavy offensive surge, but Vanasch continued to thwart their efforts. In the final quarter, the Lancers increased the tempo and finally pulled one back in the 48th minute through a goal from Henderson. Sensing an equaliser, the table-toppers pressed hard, with Marias’ shot going agonisingly wide in the 53rd minute.
The final minutes were frantic as the Lancers threw everything at the Soorma defense. However, led by the tireless Victor Wegnez, Soorma absorbed the pressure and held on to secure three vital points.