'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Looking to retain the top spot in the Hockey India League (HIL) points table, the UP Rudras will face off against the Tamil Nadu Dragons in their third round-robin game on Sunday (January 5).
With the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers having climbed to the first position in the league standings with three straight wins from as many games, second-placed UP Rudras are the only team that can leapfrog Colin Batch's side.
Getting past the Tamil Nadu Dragons, though, will be a tough proposition for the Rudras, who rode on a Kane Russel brace to defeat the Kalinga Lancers 3-1 before thrashing Soorma Hockey Club 3-0.
Trending
A plethora of talent in the Rudras' squad gives the UP side plenty of options, with the likes of Sudeep Chirmako making a mark early alongside a host of Indian and overseas talents.
Lalit Upadhyay and Tanguy Cosyns have been industrious and creative up-front while Sam Ward, who has yet to get going in the Hockey India League, is capable of causing havoc in the attacking circle.
The Dragons, on the other hand, are powered by a double penalty-corner battery comprising Aussie stalwart Blake Govers and Dutchman Jip Janssen, who has already scored his opening goal of the tournament against the Lancers.
Kane Russel, though, has scored two from the top of the circle for the Rudras and will be hungry for more.
Paul van Ass' Rudras' team appears to be one of the most well-balanced sides especially with uncapped Indian players bolstering the strength of the outfit, giving the UP side the edge in what promises to be a thriller.
UP Rudras vs Tamil Nadu Dragons, Hockey India League match details
Match Details: UP Rudras vs Tamil Nadu Dragons, League Match, Hockey India League 2024-25
Date & Time: Sunday, January 5, 2025, 8:15 PM IST
Venue: Rourkela, India
UP Rudras vs Tamil Nadu Dragons: Full Squads
UP Rudras
Goalkeepers: Pankaj Kumar Rajak, James Mazarelo, Prashant Kumar Chauhan
Defenders: James Albery, Lars Balk, Surender Kumar, Sunil Jojo, Kane Russell, Prashant Barla, Sharda Nand Tiwari, Priyobarta Talem
Midfielders: Manmeet Singh, Jobanpreet Singh, Simranjeet Singh, Rafael Vilallonga, Floris Wortelboer, Hardik Singh, Akashdeep Singh
Forwards: Sudeep Chirmako, Sam Ward, Tanguy Cosyns, Zaid Mohammad Khan, Gurjot Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay
Tamil Nadu Dragons
Goalkeepers: David Harte, Arasu Senthamizh, Prince Deep Singh
Defenders: Jip Janssen, Kothajit Singh, Anand Lakra, Pruthvi GM, Moritz Ludwig, Anand Y, Amit Rohidas
Midfielders: Chandan Yadav, Blake Govers, Thomas Sorsby, Shesha Gowda, Dhilipan M, Arun J, Tom Craig, Mohd. Raheel
Forwards: Martin Zwicker, Sudev Abharan, Karthi Selvam, Ganesh Majji, Nathan Ephraums, Uttam Singh
UP Rudras vs Tamil Nadu Dragons: Prediction
The Tamil Nadu Dragons appeared to lack cohesion in and around the striking circle despite taking the Lancers to a shootout and cannot afford any slip-ups against a power-packed and upbeat Rudras side.
Jobanpreet Singh and Sudeep Chirmako can cause a headache or two for the Dragons even as the Tamil Nadu side attempts to mark the likes of Akashdeep Singh, Hardik Singh, and Lalit Upadhyay.
Score Prediction: UP Rudras 3 - 2 Tamil Nadu Dragons
Where to watch Hockey India League 2024-25 matches in India?
Matches of the Hockey India League 2024-25 will be telecast on the Sony Sports Network and DD Sports and streamed live on SonyLiv and Waves.
