In a nail-biting finish at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Ranchi Royals clinched a dramatic 3-2 victory over Hyderabad Toofans in the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2026 Qualifier-2, securing their spot in the championship final.
Tom Boon emerged as the undisputed hero for Ranchi Royals, netting a brilliant hat-trick in the 13th, 15th, and 34th minutes. His clinical strikes turned the game on its head after Hyderabad had taken an early lead through Jacob Anderson’s goal in the 5th minute, assisted by a masterful run from India’s rising star Rajinder Singh.
The match kicked off with high intensity. Just five minutes in, Rajinder Singh dazzled the crowd, weaving past three defenders on the right flank before delivering a pinpoint pass to Anderson, who deflected it perfectly into the net for a 1-0 lead. Hyderabad’s joy was short-lived, however, as Ranchi Royals were awarded two quick penalty corners. Boon capitalized ruthlessly, scoring twice in quick succession off veteran Manpreet Singh’s precise passes, flipping the score to 2-1 by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw both sides pushing hard but failing to break the deadlock, with several near-misses keeping fans on edge. After the halftime break, Ranchi returned with renewed vigor. Another penalty corner in the 34th minute saw Boon strike again, outsmarting the Hyderabad goalkeeper to make it 3-1.
Hyderabad fought back valiantly four minutes later, with Junior World Cup bronze medalist Amandeep Lakra pulling one back to narrow the gap to 3-2. The final quarter was a tense affair, with Toofans earning penalty corners of their own but unable to convert. Ranchi Royals held firm, defending their slender lead to book a final showdown against Vedanta Kalinga Lancers on Monday.
This victory showcases Ranchi Royals’ resilience and Boon’s match-winning prowess, setting the stage for an epic title clash in the HIL 2026.