HIL 2025-26: Kalinga Lancers moves to top spot after clinching 3-1 shootout win against HIL GC
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers prevailed against HIL GC, clinching a 3-1 win in the shootout after the two teams were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time in the men’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium on Sunday.
Ajeet Yadav (19’) and Alexander Hendrickx (23’) scored for their respective sides in regulation time. Notably, the Lancers didn’t concede a single penalty corner throughout the contest. With that result, it moves to the top of the table.
HIL GC dictated terms in the opening exchanges of this contest, dominating possession as it played most of the game in its opponents’ half. However, it couldn’t quite make any significant inroads despite the six circle entries it managed.
To its credit, the Lancers held its shape, registering six circle entries of its own while playing on the counter-attack. It did earn the first real opportunity of the game with a penalty corner, but couldn’t make it count in a goalless first quarter.
After a cagey first quarter that saw neither side register a shot, HIL GC took the lead from its first attempt on target in the second quarter. Captain Hardik Singh orchestrated the move from midfield before Ajeet (19’) tapped in his effort from close range to break the deadlock.
The Lancers looked for an instant response with a couple of shots on goal and six penalty corners in a span of a couple of minutes. It eventually found a way past HIL GC goalkeeper James Mazarelo courtesy of a powerful dragflick from Hendrickx (23’), levelling the scores at half-time.
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The second half began in a similar manner to the first, with HIL GC retaining possession and working the ball neatly in search of an opening. The Lancers, on the other hand, continued to look dangerous on the break and came close to taking the lead through Hendrickx before being denied by James Mazarelo, who was colossal in goal for HIL GC. There was nothing to separate the two sides after an end-to-end third quarter.
Heading into the final quarter, the two teams remained relentless in their pursuit in search of a winner. HIL GC only registered three circle entries, while the Lancers only managed to register two circle entries in the final quarter. With neither side mustering an attempt on target, the game had to be decided through a shootout.
The shootout was a tense encounter with both goalkeepers standing tall in goal. After conceding a goal on their respective first attempts, James Mazarelo and Jed Snowden denied the next two takers. Arthur Van Doren held his nerve for the Lancers before Ajeet Yadav missed for HIL GC, allowing Dilpreet Singh to seal the deal for the Lancers in the shootout.
Published on Jan 11, 2026