Hockey India League 2024/25 Points Table: Updated HIL standings on December 29

Two markedly contrasting Hockey India League encounters were played out at the Bursa Munda International Hockey Stadium on Sunday (December 29).

Shrachi Bengal Tigers and the Hyderabad Toofans were in action in the first match of the evening which witnessed a flurry of goals. Colin Batch's Bengal Tigers dominated the proceedings against the Toofans who launched a late comeback before going 2-3 in their Hockey India League game.

Soorma Hockey Club and Tamil Nadu Dragons, however, failed to break the deadlock until the final quarter. A Nathan Ephraums' penalty corner rebound goal gave the Dragons the lead before Gurjant Singh scored off a short corner rebound to take the game to a shootout where the Soormas prevailed 4-1.

Jugraj Singh brought a smile to coach Colin Batch's face with a powerful well-directed drag-flick in the 9th minute that gave goalkeeper Vikas Dahiya no chance whatsoever.

Batch was doubly elated when Sebastian Dockier helped Sukhjeet Singh score from open play in the 20th minute even as the Bengal Tigers veered away to a 2-0 lead.

The Toofans had a golden chance to score off a penalty stroke that followed a Gonzalo Peillat penalty corner but Maico Casella missed out.

Tim Brand's forays were snuffed out by the Bengal defense before Affan Youssuf scored with a scorcher off a pass from Abhishek in the 36th minute to make it 3-0 for the Tigers.

Jamie Carr denied Tim Brand on the goalline before the Aussie was finally rewarded for his persistence in the 41st minute. Gonzalo Peillat had a chance to reduce the deficit further for his team before the end of the third quarter but his drag-flick was stopped by the Bengal defense.

Arthur de Sloover deflected a Gonzalo Peillat drag flick past Jamie Carr in the 59th minute to help the Toofans come within striking distance of forcing a shootout after the Hyderabad team had pulled their goalkeeper.

A penalty corner at the death for a stick block was overruled by the umpire much to the dismay of the Hyderabad side who are now at the bottom of the Hockey India League points table following the defeat.

In stark contrast to the opening game of the evening, Soorma Hockey Club and Tamil Nadu Dragons began the game in a cautious fashion before David Harte was called into action at the end of the opening quarter.

Victor Wegnez forced a penalty corner for the Soormas in the 15th minute. Nicolas della Torre went for the drag-flick with Harmanpreet Singh alongside but the Argentinian missed the target.

Both sides created chances in the second and third quarters but were unable to score an opening goal.

Nathan Ephraums finally scored for the Dragons off a rebound following Jip Janssen's drag flick that was stopped by Vincent Vanasch in the 49th minute. Gurjant Singh slotted home a Jeremy Hayward penalty corner five minutes later which led to a shootout where Vincent Vanasch stood tall to help his side to a 4-1 win.

Owing to the above results, the Bengal Tigers are perched on top of the Hockey India League points table at the end of the second day.

Hockey India League: Updated Points Table Men's League Phase (Saturday, December 29)

	PLAYED	WON	LOST	S/O WIN	S/O LOSS	GF	GA	GD	POINTS
Rarh Bengal Tigers	1	1	0	0	0	3	2	+1	3
Delhi SG Pipers	1	0	0	1	0	2	2	0	2
Soorma Hockey Club	1	0	0	1	0	1	1	0	2
Team Gonasika	1	0	0	0	1	2	2	0	1
TN Dragons	1	0	0	0	1	1	1	0	1
Kalinga Lancers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
UP Rudras	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Hyderabad Toofans	1	0	1	0	0	2	3	-1	0

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Hockey India League 2024: Men's League Fixtures (Monday, December 30)

UP Rudras vs Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, 8:15 pm IST (Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium)