Hyderabad Toofans beat HIL GC 4-3 to clinch third place in HIL

Hyderabad Toofans clinched third place in the Hero Hockey India League with a 4-3 win over HIL GC at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. Amandeep Lakra scored twice, while Nilakanta Sharma and Jacob Anderson added goals in a thrilling contest

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Toofans clinched third place in the Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL), defeating HIL GC 4-3 in a high-scoring thriller at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Monday.

Amandeep Lakra (30’, 53’) bagged a brace, while Nilakanta Sharma (24’) and Jacob Anderson (33’) also scored for the Toofans. Sam Ward (14’, 52’) struck twice and Kane Russell (55’) added one for HIL GC. With this win, the Toofans maintained their winning record against HIL GC this season.

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Hyderabad Toofans began brightly, keeping possession and dictating terms in the early exchanges. With eight circle entries in the first quarter, they looked the likelier side to score, with Jacob Anderson missing the best chance late in the quarter. Against the run of play, Daragh Walsh set up Sam Ward (14’) to give HIL GC the lead.

The Toofans equalised through Nilakanta Sharma (24’), who smashed home Zachary Wallace’s cutback. Building on momentum, Lakra (30’) converted a penalty corner drag flick to make it 2-1 at half-time.

Anderson (33’) extended the lead early in the second half, before Ward (52’) pulled one back for HIL GC. Lakra (53’) restored the cushion with another drag flick, but Russell (55’) reduced the margin again. The Toofans held firm to secure a 4-3 win.

All matches of the Hero Hockey India League are broadcast live on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3 and DD Sports, and live-streamed on Waves and the Hockey India League YouTube channel.