In a thrilling finale to the league stage of the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL), Tamil Nadu Dragons clinched the top spot with a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Surma Hockey Club. The match, played at a packed stadium, kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
Tamil Nadu Dragons started strong, dominating possession in the opening quarter. Their relentless pressure paid off early when forward Rajkumar scored the opener in the 8th minute, firing past the Surma goalkeeper after a swift counter-attack. Surma Hockey Club responded aggressively, equalizing just before halftime through a penalty corner conversion by their star defender, Amit Malik.
The second half saw both teams trading blows. Tamil Nadu regained the lead in the 42nd minute via a brilliant field goal from skipper Harpreet Singh, who weaved through defenders to slot it home. Surma fought back valiantly, leveling the score again at 2-2 with a clinical drag-flick from Gurpreet Singh in the 55th minute.
Tension mounted as the clock ticked down. In the dying moments, Tamil Nadu Dragons earned a crucial penalty corner. With nerves of steel, young talent Vikramjeet Singh unleashed a powerful shot that found the net in the 68th minute, sealing a dramatic 3-2 win. This result not only propelled Tamil Nadu to the summit of the points table but also boosted their confidence heading into the playoffs.
Coach of Tamil Nadu Dragons praised his team’s resilience, saying it was a complete team effort. Surma Hockey Club, despite the loss, showed promise and will look to regroup for the knockout stages. As the HIL playoffs approach, all eyes are on whether Tamil Nadu can maintain this momentum to lift the trophy.