Hockey India League kicks off; DSGP takes the lead over Gonasika

Domene Tomas purple jersey of Delhi scores in opposition to Gonasika Throughout Hockey India League (HIL) on the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Saturday (December 28, 2024). Picture: Vedhan M./The Hindu

The much-awaited Hockey India League lastly bought off the mark on the Birsa Munda Stadium right here on Saturday (December 28, 2024) and if the opening day was something to go by, it was a blended bag, each on and off the sphere as Delhi SG Pipers held Workforce Gonasika 2-2 earlier than taking the bonus level within the shootouts.

With the opening ceremony cancelled as a result of demise of former prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, it wasn’t the grand begin that Hockey India had hoped for. The hour-long sound-and-light present did assist however it took time for the stands to progressively replenish. That the opening day of a hockey event within the metropolis didn’t handle a packed home ought to be meals for thought for the organisers.

The competitors on floor fared higher and the groups, regardless of the combo of nationalities, didn’t present any confusion. Clearly the exhausting work to create a cohesive group and understanding amongst gamers had paid off. Additionally spectacular have been among the Indian gamers, lengthy out of the nationwide stage however clearly not completed but. Birendra Lakra impressed on the again for Gonasika, Nikkin Thimmaiah did the identical upfront. However the man who stored them within the recreation was English goalkeeper Oliver Payne with a sequence of saves to disclaim DSGP.

DSGP, with a line-up vastly completely different from what they’d have envisaged after the public sale, performed the way in which Graham Reid’s Indian aspect used to – on the assault with a good defence, health being the key phrase. It paid off with an early lead, Argentine Tomas Domene changing the primary penalty nook within the 4th minute.

Gonasika, more true to teach Paul Revington’s model, was extra about utilizing the flanks to open up the sphere and create possibilities. Captain Manpreet Singh, taking part in greater than he does for the nationwide aspect, virtually bought the equaliser within the thirteenth with a stunning steal however ended up with a missed swing in entrance of the aim earlier than Struan Walker struck in a rebound off the publish from Nikkin Thimmaiah’s shot within the twenty sixth minute to stage scores.

The groups added a aim apiece inside 5 minutes within the third quarter to finish stage in regulation time earlier than DSGP edged forward within the shootouts. The gang although had already began strolling out a lot earlier than.

The consequence: DSGP 2 (Tomas Domene 4, 39) bt Workforce Gonasika 2 (Struan Walker 26, Victor Charlet 35) through shootouts.