HIL: UP Rudras wins 2-0 against Team Gonasika, claims top spot

The UP Rudras put up a clinical display to cruise to a 2-0 win against Team Gonasika at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Tuesday.

With this win, the Rudras surged to the top of the Hero Hockey India League standings. Goals from Tanguy Cosyns (37’) and Kane Russell (40’) did the tricks for the UP Rudras.

The first quarter was a cagey affair as neither team created a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Both made numerous circle entries but neither found the finishing touch as the quarter ended on a goalless note.

Team Gonasika won the first penalty corner of the match in the 18th minute when Araijeet Hundal found an opposition defender’s foot with some clever stickwork. However, James Mazarelo made a fine save to fend off Victor Charlet’s drag-flick and thwart away the danger.

The UP Rudras, led by Indian forward Hardik Singh, found its footing in the second quarter as it won four penalty corners. The first one came after Gurjot Singh raced into the circle and looked for a pass, but won a penalty corner in the process.

Russel took the drag-flicking duties but found no way past a determined Oliver Payne in the Team Gonasika goal.

Payne remained a force to reckon with between the sticks as the scoreline remained 0-0 at the halfway mark.

The UP Rudras had three more penalty corners than Team Gonasika, while the latter made more circle penetrations, but neither team found the elusive goal.

Team Gonasika had a chance to find the opener in the 33rd minute when Charlet threaded a brilliant pass into the circle for Amir Ali, who won a penalty corner after being tripped. However, Charlet simply couldn’t get his stick on the ball as he miss-hit the dragflick.

The UP Rudras finally broke the deadlock in the 37th minute via a well-worked penalty corner variation. Russel received the push and slipped it backwards for Cosyns, who had ample time before unleashing a powerful strike that gave the UP Rudras a 1-0 lead.

Team Gonasika came within inches of equalizing in the next minute but were undone by a superb goal-line save from Floris Wortelboer.

The UP Rudras won back-to-back penalty corners soon after at the other end and the second of those saw them propel to a 2-0 lead.

Russell’s fiery dragflick in the 40th minute took a touch off goalkeeper Suraj Karkera’s left glove before landing up in the net. With a second goal to their name, the UP Rudras left the match with three points.