Hockey India League: Delhi SG Pipers win shootout after draw against Team Gonasika

(Courtesy : Hockey India League)
Tomas Domene scored the first goal of Hockey India League 2024-25.
The Hockey India League 2024-25 season got off to a thrilling start with Delhi SG Pipers triumphing against Team Gonasika at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Saturday. Tomas Domene (5`, 39`) scored for Delhi SG Pipers while Struan Walker (26`) and Victor Charlet (35`) scored for Team Gonasika.
Argentina’s Domene scored the first goal of Hockey India League 2024-25 season in the fifth minute. Delhi captain Jake Whetton won possession high up the pitch and dribbled his way into the Gonasika circle before winning a penalty corner off Dipsan Tirkey. Domene rifled his drag flick into goal with goalkeeper Oliver Payne barely getting any time to react.
Team Gonasika slowly found their rhythm as the first quarter went on and came close to equalising towards the end. Captain Manpreet Singh played a one-two with Jack Waller but failed to connect with the ball in front of goal.
Gonasika pressed hard for an equaliser and deservedly got it four minutes from the end of the second quarter. Araijeet Singh Hundal hit a powerful shot hoping to catch Delhi SG Pipers goalkeeper Benjamin Rennie off at the near post.
The shot took a slight deflection off Gonasika forward Nikkin Thimmaiah’s stick and crashed onto the post. Rennie was caught off guard with Scotland’s Walker tapping the ball into the empty goal.
Delhi looked to hit back immediately but Payne made a couple of good saves to ensure both teams went into halftime on level terms.
Having trailed for most of the first half, Team Gonasika took the lead early five minutes into the third quarter. Mandeep Singh and Araijeet Singh Hundal led a Gonasika counter before the latter won a penalty corner. France’s Victor Charlet’s ferocious drag-flick evaded goalkeeper Pawan and Jarmanpreet Singh at the post sparking wild celebrations from the Gonasika players.
Also Read: Men’s Hockey India League 2024-25: Updated schedule, fixtures, results, live streaming details
However, Gonasika’s lead lasted only four minutes. Walker received a five-minute suspension soon after for a poor foul and Delhi capitalised upon their numerical advantage. Ky Willott got the ball on the goal-line and the Australian played an inch-perfect cut-back which Domene converted with ease.
Domene could have completed his hat-trick in the final minute of the third quarter from a penalty corner. However, Payne saved Domene’s drag flick before denying Sumit Kumar from the rebound.
Payne was in imperious form as he pulled off two stunning saves midway through the fourth quarter to deny Delhi the lead. A minute later, Domene once again came close to completing his hat-trick but his drag-flick cannoned off the post.
Gonasika and Delhi went all in searching for a late winner but both goalkeepers stood firm as the match ended 2-2. In the penalty shootout, Delhi SG Pipers converted four of their five attempts to secure the victory. Jake Whetton, Tomas Domene, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha and Raj Kumar Pal converted successfully for Delhi SG Pipers.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram
- FIH Pro League 2024-25 will be litmus test ahead of Hockey World Cup 2026, says India skipper Harmanpreet Singh
- Men's FIH Pro League 2024-25: India's updated schedule, fixtures, results, live streaming details
- Indian women’s hockey team captain Salima Tete excited about home support at FIH Pro League 2024-25
- National Games 2025 full schedule, venues, dates, sports, all you need to know
- FIH Pro League 2024-25: England men's team touches down in Bhubaneswar for hockey tournament
- Indian Sports Calendar February 2025: ICC Champions Trophy, National Games, FIH Pro League and more events to watch
- Men's Hockey India League 2024-25: Updated schedule, fixtures, results, live streaming details
- Men's Hockey India League 2024-25 top 10 goalscorers and final points table
- Women's Hockey India League 2025: Updated schedule, fixtures, results, live streaming details
- Top 10 players to watch out for in Women's Hockey India League 2025