Rupinder Pal Singh’s brace was the difference as Bengal Tigers earned a vital 2-1 win over Team Gonasika in match 6 of the Hockey India League 2024-25 played at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela and also go top of the standings. (Match Highlights | Hockey News)
ꦿThe game was evenly poised and it had to take one moment of defensive error that led to a penalty stroke for Bengal Tigers, to be the differential factor between the two teams on Wednesday.
🎉For the remaining part of the game, there was little to chose between these two sides, that had matched in attempts on goal, circle penetrations and also scoring respective opening goal, within 30 seconds of each scored.
The game was a tactical battle between these two sides, that hardly gave anything away. For Bengal Tigers, Sukhjeet Singh ꦫand Abhishek were the vital players with successive incursions into the circle and Affan Yousuf backing these two, only to find their shots blocked by a motivated Oliver Payne.
𝐆The Tigers registered enough penalty corners, though they had to wait for the sixth one from Rupinder Pal Singh to finally open the scoring. Jugraj Singh, who was earlier entrusted of breaking Payne's defence, saw Rupinder take the honours and the veteran player made no mistake in smashing past Payne's shoulder to register the opening goal.
For Team Gonasika, apart from Payne, it was Manpreet Singh 🐟who stood tall in the middle of the park and alongside Victor Charlet, controlled the game. Just seconds after Bengal Tigers took the lead, GSKA scored from 30 seconds, swinging to smash into the board, that was left unmarked on the left after being put through by Struan Walker.
﷽However, SRBT regain control once again after a 48th minute mistake saw Tigers being rewarded a penalty stroke that Rupinder converted with ease. The win earned SRBT the top spot in the HIL 2024-25 points table.
