Hockey India League 2024-25: Vedanta Kalinga Lancers ends Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers’ unbeaten streak with 6-0 win
Hockey India League 2024-25: Vedanta Kalinga Lancers ends Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers’ unbeaten streak with 6-0 win
Dutch forward Thierry Brinkman struck a brace as the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers trounced table topper Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers 6-0 to script its first win in the Hockey India League at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium here on Tuesday.
The host, lying low with just one point so far, bounced back in style after three consecutive defeats to upset the off-colour Tigers, which tasted its first loss.
Lancers switched flanks and explored the gaps through its fine distribution to have a stunning start, pumping in three goals within six minutes.
Captain Aran Zalewski sent in a pass from the right to Dilpreet Singh, and the Indian crossed it to an unmarked Brinkman on the left to shoot home in the third minute.
Within a minute, Sanjay pounced on a rebound to convert Lancers’ first penalty corner.
Alex Hendrickx used a diagonal angle to convert another short corner before Tigers could get its act together.
In the second quarter, the Tigers moved better and closed the gaps, making the Lancers work harder. They also threatened the home citadel but could not beat a tight defence led by an alert Krishan Pathak under the bar.
After missing out on six potential goal-scoring chances, Lancers made it 4-0 at half-time when Nicholas Bandurak hit home from Antonie Kina’s pass from the right. The ball got deflected from defender Jasjit Kular’s stick.
Tigers missed a couple of opportunities, including the brilliant run of Sukhjeet Singh and Affan Yousuf in tandem and a penalty corner, as Pathak held his nerve and kept his post safe.
Dilpreet spoiled a golden chance for the Lancers, too.
Lancers displayed some superb counters and extended its lead in the fourth quarter. The ever-active Brinkman traded passes with Bandurak on the left and completed his brace.
Young Boby Singh Dhami made it half a dozen goals. He unleashed a reverse hit from the circle line with his back to the goalpost.
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers 6 (Brinkman 3 and 47, Sanjay 4, Hendrickx 6, Bandurak 29, Dhami 49) bt Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers 0.
