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Team Gonasika, who went down in a shootout against the Delhi SG Pipers in the Hockey India League (HIL) opener, will be up against Shrachi Bengal Tigers in their second league match on Wednesday (January 1).
The Tigers, one of only two teams to have registered an outright win in the eight-team competition thus far, are currently second in the Hockey India League points table, with Gonasika in sixth place.
While the onus will be on the Manpreet Singh-led side to take the game to the Bengal Tigers in order to bag three vital points, getting past the likes of Sebastian Dockier and Gauthier Boccard will take quite some doing.
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Sam Lane and Florent van Aubel are certain to pose problems for the Gonasika defense, who will take heart from the fact that Oliver Payne made some outstanding saves in the opening game and looks to be in stunning form.
Nikkin Thimmaiah was one of the livewires for Paul Revington's team against the SG Pipers while combining effectively with Struan Walker. Gonasika will also need Mandeep Singh to shine in his role as a poacher if they are to get past the Tigers on Wednesday.
Charlet's expertise as a drag-flicker will also prove to be vital since the Frenchman has already got his name onto the scoring sheet just as Jugraj Singh has for the Tigers.
Manpreet Singh took it upon himself to make things happen on the field when the chips were down for Gonasika in the opening fixture and the talismanic skipper will seek to inspire yet again in a clash that promises to be a humdinger.
Team Gonasika vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Hockey India League match details
Match Details: Team Gonasika vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, League Match, Hockey India League 2024
Date & Time: Wednesday, January 1, 2024, 8:15 PM IST
Venue: Rourkela, India
Team Gonasika vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers: Full Squads
Team Gonasika
Goalkeepers: Oliver Payne, Kamalbir Singh, Suraj Karkera
Defenders: Tim Howard, Dipsan Tirkey, Sanjeep Nilam Xess, Birendra Lakra, Anmol Ekka, Yogember Rawat, Amir Ali
Midfielders: Jacob Draper, Yashdeep Siwach, Jack Waller, Timothee Clement, Lee Morton, Vishnukant Singh, Sannuvanda Uthappa, Manpreet Singh
Forwards: Nikkin Thimmaiah, Struan Walker, SV Sunil, Victor Charlet, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Mandeep Singh
Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers
Goalkeepers: Atal Dev Singh, Jamie Carr, Ali Khan
Defenders: Hayden Beltz, Gauthier Boccard, Jasjit Singh Kular, Rupinder Pal Singh, Sebastien Dockier, Jugraj Singh
Midfielders: Sean Findlay, Yogesh Malik Singh, Jaskaran Singh, Pardeep Mor, Affan Yousif, Tim Cross, Pradhan Poovanna, Atul Deep, Pardeep Singh Sandhu, Luwang Ingalemba
Forwards: Florent van Aubel, Sam Lane, Gursewak Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek
Team Gonasika vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers: Prediction
Gonasika's biggest strength is their vastly experienced midfield lineup who will look to set up Nikin Thimmaiah, Walker, and Araijeet Singh Hundal in the circle while Lane and van Aubel attempt to get the momentum going for the Bengal side. Jugraj and Charlet can ill afford to miss the target from the penalty corners if they want to get their respective teams over the line.
Score Prediction: Team Gonasika 3 - 4 Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers
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.
