HIL: Gonasika edge Toofans in shootout after thrilling 3-3 draw

Team Gonasika secured two points after a dramatic shootout victory over Hyderabad Toofans, who settled for one point, following a thrilling 3-3 draw in regulation time in their final pool-stage clash of the Hockey India League.

Despite Toofans' early dominance, Gonasika showed immense resilience, with Victor Charlet emerging as the hero with a brace, including the crucial equalizer in the final quarter.

Hyderabad Toofans wasted no time in asserting their dominance, finding the net within the very first minute.

Jacob Anderson capitalized on a defensive lapse from Gonasika to slot home a well-taken field goal, giving Toofans the perfect start. Just five minutes later, Tim Brand doubled the lead with another field goal, leaving Gonasika stunned as they trailed 2-0 within six minutes.

However, Gonasika were quick to respond. They won their first penalty corner in the 12th minute, and after a review, it was upgraded to a penalty stroke due to a Toofans defender's infringement. Victor Charlet stepped up and calmly converted, reducing the deficit to 2-1.

Trading Blows in the Second Quarter

The second quarter saw both teams creating chances, with Toofans looking to reassert control while Gonasika pushed for an equalizer. The breakthrough came in the 24th minute when Gonasika were awarded another penalty stroke. Araijeet Singh Hundal made no mistake from the spot, leveling the scores at 2-2.

But Toofans responded almost immediately. Just a minute later, they won a penalty corner, and Amandeep Lakra delivered a powerful drag-flick to restore their lead at 3-2 in the 25th minute. The remainder of the quarter saw both sides battling hard, but Toofans maintained their slender advantage heading into halftime.

The third quarter was a tense affair, with Toofans controlling possession and looking for a fourth goal to seal the game. They earned multiple penalty corners but were unable to capitalize, with Gonasika’s defense holding firm.

Toofans came agonizingly close to scoring late in the quarter, but Gonasika somehow survived, keeping the score at 3-2 heading into the final 15 minutes.

Gonasika threw everything forward in the last quarter, desperately searching for an equalizer.

Their persistence paid off in the 55th minute when they won a penalty corner. Victor Charlet stepped up once again and fired a clinical flick past the Toofans goalkeeper, leveling the match at 3-3. The closing minutes saw both teams pushing for a winner, but neither side could find the decisive goal, forcing the game into a shootout.

Shootout Drama 

The shootout proved to be a nightmare for Toofans as they struggled to find their finishing touch under pressure.

Gonasika missed their first attempt, but Toofans converted theirs to take an early lead.

However, momentum shifted quickly as Gonasika scored their next three attempts, while Toofans missed their remaining three shots, handing Gonasika a well-earned victory.

Key Moments:

- 1' – Jacob Anderson (Toofans) scores an early field goal.

- 6' – Tim Brand (Toofans) doubles the lead with another field goal.

- 12' – Victor Charlet (Gonasika) converts a penalty stroke to make it 2-1.

- 24' – Araijeet Singh Hundal (Gonasika) scores another penalty stroke to level the match at 2-2.

- 25' – Amandeep Lakra (Toofans) restores the lead with a penalty corner goal (3-2).

- 55' – Victor Charlet (Gonasika) equalizes with a penalty corner goal (3-3).

- Shootout: Gonasika score 3 out of 4 attempts, while Toofans struggle, missing three consecutive shots.