Action from the Hockey India League 2024-25 match between Delhi SG Pipers and Team Gonasika in Rourkela.Photo: Hockey India Action from the Hockey India League 2024-25 match between Delhi SG Pipers and Team Gonasika in Rourkela.Photo: Hockey India The Hockey India League 2024-25 got off to a thrilling start in Rourkela on Saturday (December 28), with Delhi SG Pipers pipping Team Gonasika 4-2 in the penalty shootouts after a 2-2 stalemate in full-time. (Highlights | More Hockey News)
Tomas Domene scored twice as Delhi SG Pipers rallied to restore parity before the final hooter. Domene scored again in the shootouts, and the Delhi goalkeeper Benjamin Rennie stood firm to thwart Gonasika in the crunch hour.
A brace for Delhi SG Pipers' Tomas Domene to bring his team back, and take the match to a shootout!Watch the LIVE action on DD Sports, Waves, Sony TEN 1, Sony TEN 3, Sony TEN 4 and Sony LIV!#HeroHIL #HockeyKaJashn #HILisBack #HeroHILisBack #GSKAvDSGP pic.twitter.com/1gLpiCDL3e
— Hockey India League (@HockeyIndiaLeag) December 28, 2024Argentina’s Domene scored the first goal of HIL 2024-25 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.
super88bet slotGonasika 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.
The Team Gonasika equaliser from Q2 which brought them back into the match!Watch the LIVE action on DD Sports, Waves, Sony TEN 1, Sony TEN 3, Sony TEN 4 and Sony LIV!#HeroHIL #HockeyKaJashn #HILisBack #HeroHILisBack #GSKAvDSGP pic.twitter.com/52Nx9ajy2M
— Hockey India League (@HockeyIndiaLeag) December 28, 2024The Pipers looked to hit back immediately but Payne made a couple of good saves to ensure both teams went into half-time on level terms.
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed his enthusiasm and stated: "This bilateral series against Germany will be a remarkable showcase of world-class hockey. Both India and Germany have a rich history in the sport, and this series will give fans an opportunity to witness an intense competition between two of the most formidable teams in the world.
Having trailed for most of the first half, 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.
But Gonasika’s lead lasted only four minutes. Walker received a five-minute suspension soon after for a poor foul and Delhi SG Pipers capitalised upon their numerical advantage. Ky Willott got the ball on the goalline 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 SG Pipers 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 SG Pipers went all out in search 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 Whettonkawbet, Tomas Domene, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha and Raj Kumar Pal converted successfully for Delhi SG Pipers.