HIL 2025-26: Kalinga Lancers climbs to top of the table with fourth successive win
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers maintained its unbeaten run in the Men’s Hockey India League 2025-26, registering a 1-0 win against Hyderabad Toofans at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Wednesday.
Alexander Hendrickx scored the only goal of the game to help Lancers get over the line.
There was little to separate the two sides in the opening quarter, with both teams having four circle entries in the first fifteen minutes. While Toofans had more of the possession, it was Lancers which registered the only attempt on target as it threatened to make inroads with swift counterattacks. Liam Henderson had the opportunity to give his side an early lead, but he was denied by Jean-Paul Danneberg, keeping the teams at level terms at the end of the first quarter.
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There was more attacking impetus from both teams to begin the second quarter as they made inroads, earning a penalty corner (PC) each. Keeping the lion’s share of possession, Toofans upped the ante significantly with 12 circle entries compared to Lancers’ seven circle entries. Despite the dominance of Toofans, it was Lancers which came closest to opening the scoring with Henderson’s powerful attempt that hit the post. However, neither side could break the deadlock in what was an engaging first half.
Toofans began the second half in similar fashion, controlling the tempo of the game as it tried to find a way to break down Lancers’ defence. Instead, it was Lancers which got the opening goal against the run of play after Hendrickx (40’) converted his drag-flick from a PC, scoring his fifth goal of the season.
Having got its noses in front, Lancers began to assert itself by keeping possession and holding a deep defensive line towards the end of the third quarter.
Lancers continued to stay resilient at the back while looking to play on the break in the final quarter. Despite its opponent having most of the ball, Lancers was efficient on the counter registering more shots. In the end, Lancers managed to see out the game rather comfortably with Toofans failing to register an attempt on goal in the last fifteen minutes.
Published on Jan 14, 2026