In a nail-biting finish to the Men’s Hockey India League season, Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons clinched a dramatic 4-2 victory over Ranchi Royals in a penalty shootout on Wednesday in Bhubaneswar. The match had ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw after regulation time, sending fans into frenzy as the shootout decided the fate.
The win handed Dragons a crucial bonus point, boosting their campaign, while Ranchi Royals secured second place in the points table and a spot in the high-stakes Qualifier-1 against Kalinga Lancers on Friday. Hyderabad Hurricanes also locked in their playoff berth, leaving Surma Hockey Club needing a massive 7-goal win over SG Pipers on Thursday to snatch the fourth spot.
Ranchi Royals struck first in the opening minute through Mandeep Singh, who pounced on a rebound after Maxim van Ost’s shot was saved. Tom Boon doubled the lead in the 9th minute with a penalty corner drag-flick that was blocked, only for him to slot home the rebound. Boon added another from a penalty stroke in the 35th minute, putting Royals ahead 3-2.
Dragons fought back valiantly. Blake Govers pulled one back in the 24th minute from their first penalty corner, and Karthi Selvam equalized in the 32nd with a deft tap-in. Govers struck again in the 53rd from another set piece, leveling the scores at 3-3. Ranchi’s Arjunjit nearly won it with a reverse tomahawk, but goalkeeper Suraj Karkara’s brilliant save forced the shootout.
In the decider, Nathan Ephrams, Blake Govers, Uttam Singh, and Tom Craig all converted for Dragons, while Ranchi faltered. This victory keeps Dragons’ playoff hopes alive in a season full of twists, as teams battle for glory in the league’s final stretch.
