Chennai, Jan 4 (.) Reigning champions Shrachi Bengal Tigers opened their Men’s
Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26 campaign with a comfortable and confident
3-1 victory over JSW Soorma Hockey Club here tonight.
For the Tigers, Sukhjeet Singh (33’), Abhishek (45’) and Gursewak Singh (60’) found
the target, while scored the Prabhjot Singh (54’) for Soorma.
The opening quarter was evenly balanced, with both teams looking to settle into the contest.
JSW Soorma tried to stretch the Tigers’ defence by switching play and using long passes,
while the Tigers relied on quick counter-attacks and aerial balls into the circle.
Despite a few promising moves from Nicolas Poncelet and Tommy Willems, neither side
could create a clear-cut chance in the first 15 minutes.
The Tigers grew stronger in the second quarter and began to control possession. Abhishek
was lively upfront and won multiple penalty corners, but Soorma goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch
kept his team in the game with several sharp saves, including a crucial double save late in the
half.
The teams went into the break with the score still level at the end of two quarters.
Shrachi Bengal Tigers finally broke the deadlock early in the third quarter when Tom Grambusch’s
penalty corner flick was deftly deflected into the goal by Sukhjeet Singh in the 33rd minute. The
Tigers continued to press and stretched their lead when Abhishek showed great composure, holding
off a defender before firing a powerful reverse flick past Vanasch from a tight angle.
JSW Soorma showed intent in the final quarter and were rewarded when Prabhjot Singh finished off
a neat passing move in the 54th minute to reduce the deficit.
However, as Soorma pushed forward and took off their goalkeeper in the closing moments, the Tigers
struck again. Abhishek stole possession and set up Gursewak Singh (60’), who scored into an empty
net in the final minute to seal the win.
. GV 2125