SG Pipers beat Hyderabad Toofans for first HIL 2025-26 win

SG Pipers defeated Hyderabad Toofans 2-1 in Ranchi to claim their first win of the HIL 2025-26 season. Tomas Domene scored twice, while goalkeeper Tomas Santiago denied a late penalty stroke to secure victory despite Toofans’ relentless pressure

Hyderabad: SG Pipers registered their first victory in the Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26, defeating Hyderabad Toofans 2-1 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Monday.

Tomas Domene scored both goals for the winners, while goalkeeper Tomas Santiago delivered a standout performance. For the Toofans, Amandeep Lakra was the lone scorer.

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The Pipers dominated the opening exchanges, earning a succession of penalty corners before Domene’s dragflick in the 8th minute gave them the lead. They won six penalty corners in the first quarter, while the Toofans managed only one shot despite five circle entries.

Hyderabad Toofans pressed hard in the second quarter, recording 12 circle entries, four penalty corners and seven shots on goal, but failed to convert. Against the run of play, Roman Duvekot set up Domene for his second strike in the 29th minute, giving the Pipers a 2-0 cushion at half-time.

The Toofans continued to attack in the third quarter, and Lakra finally broke through in the 41st minute with a dragflick to make it 2-1.

In the final quarter, Hyderabad Toofans piled on the pressure with 16 circle penetrations and six penalty corners, even earning a penalty stroke. But Santiago denied Zachary Wallace from the spot and produced a brilliant double save in the dying moments to secure the Pipers’ first win of the season.