New Delhi: Rarh Bengal Tigers captain Rupinder Pal Singh credited the team for shaping their penalty corner strategy along with dominating the possession behind their success in the final match of the Hockey India League (HIL) final. The Bengal outfit defeated Hyderabad Toofans in a thrilling match by a 4-3 margin in Rourkela to lift the HIL title upon its return to the scene after seven years.
On a day when all seven goals in the title clash came from the conversions of penalty corners, the Tigers were powered by the incisiveness of young drag-flicker Jugraj Singh. The Punjab player was accurate with his low flicks down the goalpost. After Gonzalo Peillat led the charge for the Toofans with his instrumental flicks, Sam Lane netted the decisive goal just six minutes before the rooter was set to go off.
“We made a conscious effort to strengthen our defense after the semifinal. In the final, capitalising on our opportunities was essential, and we did just that,” Rupinder said in a release.
“We also worked on refining our penalty corner strategies and maintaining maximum possession, all of which helped us turn the game in our favor,” he added.
Jugraj finished the tournament as the leading goal-scorer with 12 shots on the target, all coming through penalty corners. His hat-trick in the final helped him go past Dutchman Thierry Brinkman’s 10 goals.
Rarh Bengal Tigers won six matches outrightly in the league stage to top the table with 19 points from 10 matches. A tough semifinal awaited against the Tamil Nadu Dragons, where Rupinder and his men came twice from behind to prevail in the end, involving an intense penalty shootout win by 6-5.
“Our path as a team had its share of ups and downs, but in the end, everything came together perfectly. It was our belief that carried us to the title, and I am immensely proud of my team for their hard work and resilience throughout the tournament,” the Rarh Bengal Tigers skipper said.
Rarh Bengal Tigers clinched the Hockey India League (HIL) title, defeating Hyderabad Toofans 4-3 in a thrilling final. Their success hinged on a refined penalty corner strategy and strong possession. Captain Rupinder Pal Singh praised the team’s resilience and unwavering belief throughout their journey. The Tigers’ dominance in penalty corners and consistent performance throughout the league stage ultimately secured their victory. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
