HIL 2025-26: Soorma Hockey Club registers first win; beats Governing Council 3-1

Soorma Hockey Club registered its first victory in the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26 as it beat Governing Council (GC) 3-1 in a comfortable fashion at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Thursday.

A double by the captain Harmanpreet Singh (15’, 38’) and a goal by Gurjant Singh (27’) saw their team through. Meanwhile Kane Russell scored the lone goal for HIL GC, equalling Tom Boon’s total of 10 goals as top scorers in the league so far. Despite the loss, GC continues to remain in the top two of the points table.

Soorma’s dominance began as early as the first quarter when it managed a Penalty Corner (PC) with just 33 seconds left for the first hooter. The PC was converted with ease by Harmanpreet.

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GC tried bouncing back in the next quarter with some quick-fire attempts by team captain Hardik Singh but it couldn’t register a shot on target. Meanwhile in the 27th minute, Gurjant drove into the circle from the left, dribbling with pace and precision to make it 2-0 for Soorma.

This scoreline put GC under pressure and prompted its star goal-scorer Russell to engage in a hard tackle that resulted in him getting a green card in the 30th minute of the game.

This meant GC started the third quarter with just 10 players. It was not the kind of start to the quarter it would have liked, moreover, it ended up conceding a PC in the 38th minute which was very well executed by Harmanpreet to take his team’s total to 3-0.

Russell, meanwhile struck one in the 44th minute when GC managed to earn a PC. But it ended up being a consolation goal. Though there were a few chances created in the final quarter, Soorma did well to hold on to its lead.

The victory lifts Soorma from the bottom of the points table. Currently, it is eighth position, just above bottom side SG Pipers.

Published on Jan 15, 2026