New Delhi: The double fixtures returned to the Hockey India League after a couple of days’ gap as UP Rudras and Hyderabad Toofans turned out to be the winning teams on Saturday at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela.
UP Rudras outrightly won by a margin of 3-1 against Delhi SG Pipers to move on the second position of the points table. Floris Wortelboer (30′), Kane Russell (43′) and Tanguy Cosyns scored the goals for the UP team while Jake Whetton (29′) was the lone goal-scorer for the Delhi SG Pipers. This was the fourth straight defeat for the Delhi team in the revamped season of HIL thus far.
In the other match of the day, Hyderabad Toofans levelled on scores with Soorma Hockey Club 1-1 at the end of the stipulated 60-minute match time. The Hyderabad outfit pipped the Harmanpreet Singh-led 4-3 in the penalty shootout to earn two points.
Nicolas Della Torre opened the score for the Soorma team in the eighth minute of the first quarter. It took Amandeep Lakra to struck the leveller in the 40th minute of the third quarter.
Nicolas Della Torre (8th) gave Soorma Hockey Club the lead in the first quarter before Amandeep Lakra (40th) brought the Hyderabad Toofans back on level terms with a fierce drag flick.
Hyderabad Toofans goalkeeper Dominic Dixson’s heroics in sudden death then secured a bonus point for the side.
Hockey India League Updated Points Table after Delhi SG Pipers vs UP Rudras
UP Rudras moved to the second point after their recent win over Delhi SG Pipers. The Hardik Singh-led team has accounted for nine points from five matches with three wins and two defeats. On other hand, Delhi SG Pipers are reeling at the bottom of the table with just one win in the penalty shootout and four defeats, two in the shootouts, to pick up four points.
The Soorma Hockey Club retain its position at fourth place with eight points next to their name, involving three wins, two in penalty shootouts. Hyderabad Toofans have also remained at sixth point after picking up a bonus point from tonight’s action.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Won on Shootout | Loss | Loss on Shootout | Goals For | Goals Against | Goals Difference | Points |
| 1 | Tamil Nadu Dragons | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 12 |
| 2 | UP Rudras | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 9 |
| 3 | Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 12 | -2 | 9 |
| 4 | JSW Soorma Hockey Club | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 10 | -2 | 8 |
| 5 | Vedanta Kalinga Lancers | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 7 |
| 6 | Hyderabad Toofans | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 7 |
| 7 | Team Gonasika | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 13 | -1 | 4 |
| 8 | Delhi SG Pipers | 5 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 13 | -5 | 4 |
UP Rudras secured a 3-1 victory against Delhi SG Pipers, moving to second place in the standings. Meanwhile, Hyderabad Toofans edged out Soorma Hockey Club 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
