In a thrilling finale at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar, the Kalinga Lancers clinched the Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26 title with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Ranchi Royals. Captain Arthur van Doren, the Belgian hockey maestro, attributed this triumph not to individual brilliance but to the unbreakable team spirit and roaring home crowd support.
Van Doren reflected on the Herculean task of forging unity in just four weeks. ‘Building that bond and standing as one unit was our biggest challenge,’ he said post-match. ‘It wasn’t easy, but the way we adapted and performed on the pitch fills us with immense pride. We created a strong unit, and it shone through today.’
Praising the opponents, van Doren called Ranchi Royals one of the tournament’s most attacking and entertaining sides. Having faced them multiple times before, the Lancers knew they had to match aggression with aggression. ‘Beating such a team in this manner means everything to us,’ he added.
Even with a one-goal lead in the dying minutes, the Lancers refused to retreat into a shell. Instead, they stuck to their natural, attacking game. ‘Sitting back just builds pressure,’ van Doren explained. ‘We stayed positive, kept attacking, and stood firm as a unit.’
The home advantage was palpable. ‘The energy from our local fans gives us extra strength,’ he noted. ‘The atmosphere was electric, and we savored every moment.’
Throughout the tournament, Kalinga Lancers dominated, suffering only one loss in a dead rubber after securing top spot in the league stage and a spot in Qualifier-1. This championship run underscores their dominance and sets the stage for future glories in Indian hockey.