Kane Russell hat-trick seals HIL GC win over SG Pipers
Kane Russell scored a hat-trick, including a last-minute penalty corner, to power HIL GC to a thrilling 3-2 win over SG Pipers in their opening Men’s Hockey India League 2025-26 match in Chennai. Ky Willott and Dilraj Singh scored for Pipers
Chennai: HIL GC edged past SG Pipers in a thrilling Men’s Hockey India League 2025-26 encounter, clinching a dramatic 3-2 victory after a late penalty corner from Kane Russell sealed the contest in the dying seconds of their opening match.
Ky Willott (31’) and Dilraj Singh (56’) scored for the Pipers, while Kane Russell (35’, 37’, 60’) netted a hat-trick for HIL GC.
SG Pipers made a lively start, using swift passing and early attacking moves to put their opponents under pressure. Their positive approach earned them a penalty corner in the fourth minute, but they failed to convert.
HIL GC gradually settled into the contest and responded with attacking forays of their own. The closest chance of the opening quarter came in the dying seconds, but Pipers’ goalkeeper Tomas Santiago produced a fine save to keep the score at 0-0.
The second quarter saw end-to-end action, with both sides creating scoring opportunities. Despite sustained pressure, neither team could find the finishing touch, and the match remained goalless at half-time.
SG Pipers broke the deadlock in the third quarter through Ky Willott (31’), who lobbed the ball over HIL GC goalkeeper James Mazarelo. The lead was short-lived as drag-flick specialist Kane Russell (35’, 37’) struck twice from penalty corners to give HIL GC a 2-1 advantage.
In the final quarter, Dilraj Singh (56’) converted a penalty corner to level the scores. But Russell (60’) completed his hat-trick in the dying seconds, sealing a dramatic win for HIL GC in their opening match of the competition.
