Hockey India League: Hyderabad Toofans register their first straight win by defeating UP Rudras

This win helped them rise from the bottom of the points table.

Hyderabad Toofans came up with an inspired performance to beat UP Rudras 3-0 to register their first out-right victory here at the Hero Hockey India League on Wednesday. It was goals by Zachary Wallace (6′), Rajinder Singh (14′) and Shilanand Lakra (32′) that helped Toofans seal the winning points and claw their way back to no.5 on the points table.

Placed in the bottom of the points table, Hyderabad Toofans showcased their intent to win right from the start. With good attacking structure on display, they took a brilliant 2-0 lead in the first quarter of the game. It was a stupendous back-handed shot by Zachary Wallace that fetched them the first goal of the game in the sixth minute while attacking midfielder Nilakanta Sharma set up Rajinder Singh to score a splendid field goal in the 14th minute.

Starting the game on the back foot, UP Rudras looked to bounce back in the second quarter. They managed a fine chance through a PC. Though Hardik picked up the rebound and took a shot on the goal himself, Dixon was impeccable in his duty. In the following minutes, Toofans too bagged a PC but could not extend the lead.

Hyderabad Toofans register their 1️⃣st straight win by defeating UP Rudras in a one-sided match 🏑🔥#Hockey #HyderabadToofans #HockeyIndiaLeague #HockeyIndiaLeague2024 #UPRudras #Hil pic.twitter.com/079cZqdKtJ

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) January 8, 2025

The third quarter began with Toofans taking their scoreline to 3-0 in the 32nd minute. An interception when Hardik was with the ball, led to Toofans setting up Shilanand Lakra to score the goal. A shot which went in between the legs of UP Rudras’ goalie Prashant Kumar Chauhan to the goalpost. This goal put Rudras under pressure.

In the 49th minute of the game, Floris Wortelboer helped Rudras win a crucial PC. Hardik was perfect with his injection yet again but Dixon managed to keep Russell’s effort out. There were two back-to-back PCs awarded to the Toofans’ Captain Sumit made a diving effort to clear the ball.

With six minutes left on the clock, Rudras won another PC, but Sam Ward’s shot went wide. Meanwhile, with just 46 seconds left for the final hooter, Toofans earned a PC. Gonzalo Peillat’s flick had a lot of pace but went straight to goalie James Mazarelo.

On reward, Peillat made another attempt but the injection was not good enough to see it through. However, they did well to hold on to the 3-0 lead and win their first game at the HIL.

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