Alexander of Vedanta Kalinga Lancers celebrating 3rd goal during the match 14 between Vedanta Kalinga Lancers and Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers of Hockey India League 2024-2025, held at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium Rourkela, Odisha, India on the 7th January, 2025.
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers rallied to beat Team Gonasika 2-1 in a keenly-contested affair and record its second consecutive victory in the Hockey India League (HIL) at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium here on Thursday (January 9, 2024).
The win over Gonasika, which played on consecutive days, enabled Lancers to jump to the third spot.
Lancers used both its flanks and had more circle entries in the first quarter but Gonasika held tight to deny early advantage to the home side. Lancers’ lone penalty corner was in vain as Alex Hendrickx shot wide.
However, it was Gonasika which drew first blood close to the first breather. Lee Morton sent in a cross from the right and S.V. Sunil controlled the ball at goalmouth before tapping it in to the disappointment of the local fans.
Lancers improved its performance in the second quarter.
Nicholas Bandurak scored for the host in the 23rd minute and video umpire Anand Dangi, following a referral, advised that the goal should stand. However, after seeing the replay on the big screen, on-field umpire Coen van Bunge over-ruled Dangi’s decision and disallowed the goal on the ground of dangerous play by Lancers.
Lancers frontline had some frustrating moments due to lack of coordination. But, when Gonasika was down to 10 men due to Manpreet Singh’s green card booking, Antoine Kina took advantage of a defensive lapse on the top of the circle to hit home the equaliser minutes prior to the half-time.
After swapping of ends, Lancers continued to apply pressure and penetrated the Gonasika circle a few times. It got into the lead despite issues with its passing. Hendrickx’s accurate pass from outside the circle on the left was guided in by captain Aran Zalewski in a crowded ‘D.’ Incidentally, Gonasika was again down by a man because of Araijeet Singh Hundal’s suspension.
Lancers created chances but struggled with finishing in the final quarter. Dilpreet dived forward spectacularly to a cross from Angad Bir Singh from right but could not put it in, but his side held on to its lead till the end.
The result: Vedanta Kalinga Lancers 2 (Kina 28, Zalewski 33) bt Team Gonasika 1 (Sunil 14).
Published – January 10, 2025 01:55 am IST
