Captain Hardik Singh’s penalty stroke seals the game; Rudras climb to third place as Phase I concludes
Ranchi (Jharkhand), January 19: UP Rudras clinched a narrow 1-0 victory against Team Gonasika in the Hockey India League 2024-25 (Men) at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Saturday. The win propelled Rudras to third place on the points table as Phase I of the league wrapped up.
Skipper Hardik Singh emerged as the hero, scoring the only goal of the match through a penalty stroke, as per a release from HIL.
Match Overview
The game began with Team Gonasika on the offensive, creating multiple chances in the first quarter, including two penalty corners. However, they failed to convert these opportunities.
As the quarter neared its end, Gonasika captain Manpreet Singh committed a defensive error, leading to a crucial penalty stroke for the Rudras after a self-referral by the umpire. With less than a minute on the clock, Hardik Singh calmly slotted the ball into the net, giving his team a 1-0 lead.
Missed Opportunities for Gonasika
Gonasika attempted to equalize in the second quarter, earning a series of penalty corners. However, drag flicker Timothee Clement struggled to find the target. Meanwhile, Rudras displayed skillful midfield control, led by Hardik Singh, but neither side managed to score before halftime.
The third quarter saw Gonasika intensify their efforts. Despite winning their seventh penalty corner, they failed to trap the ball properly, squandering a crucial chance. Rudras maintained their defensive discipline, effectively neutralizing Gonasika’s attacks.
Final Quarter Drama
The final quarter was packed with intense tackles and close opportunities. Gonasika’s Manpreet Singh and Rudras’ Lalit Upadhyay showcased high-caliber play. In the 50th minute, Gonasika earned another penalty corner, but their efforts were thwarted by the impeccable defense of Rudras’ goalkeeper James Mazarelo.
With just minutes remaining, Clement launched a fine shot on goal, only to be denied by Mazarelo’s brilliance. Gonasika won a penalty corner in the dying moments, but the Rudras held their ground to secure a thrilling victory.