HIL: Tamil Nadu Dragons hands UP Rudras its first loss – Highlights

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That's all we have from the Hockey India League tonight. The Tamil Nadu Dragons register their first outright win in the tournament and climb to the second spot in the points table.

They were aided by goals from Abharan Sudev and Thomas Sorsby's goals, while Tom Craig and Amit Rohidas also put up exceptional performance.

The Rudras, meanwhile, fall to their first defeat of the season but continue to sit on the second spot. Skipper Hardik Singh mentioned they need to improve their baseline defence and he's got a point. Uttam Singh troubled them a lot there and played a crucial role in that second goal with the assist.

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A fiery performance from @tndragonshockey earned them 2-0 victory over @UPRudras tonight.🔥🔥
.@TheHockeyIndia@HockeyIndiaLeag#sports #indiansports #hockey #indianhockey #HockeyKaJashn #HeroHIL pic.twitter.com/ZpupW2bwz2

— The Bridge (@the_bridge_in) January 5, 2025

Tom Craig is the Player of the Match

Tamil Nadu Dragons' Tom Craig is the Player of the Match.

"Special mention to our penalty corner defence led by David Harte and Amit Rohidas," he says.

FULL TIME!

What a clinical performance from the Tamil Nadu Dragons to pocket their first outright win of the Hockey India League. The two teams were evenly matched for the first three quarters but the Dragons just raced away with the contest in the final 15 minutes.

Sudev Abharan pounced on a rebound to put the Dragons ahead in the 48th minute and there was no looking back. The UP Rudras earned four penalty corners but Amit Rohidas ensured that they never found the net.

The Rudras fall to their first defeat of the season and this leaves the Rarh Bengal Tigers as the only unbeaten team in the league.

Dragons 2-0 Rudras

60' - DRAGONSS SCOREEE!

The Tamil Nadu Dragons find the net with 13 seconds left on the clock. That should be game, set, and match for them. 

Uttam Singh with a brilliant run from the right and he passes the ball to Thomas Sorsby. Mazarello tries his best to intercept that pass, but he can't push the ball away.

Sorsby gets a hold of it and slots it in. 

Dragons 2-0 Rudras

59' - Excellent from Rohidas

Amit Rohidas once again with a brilliant deflection before the UP Rudras earn yet another PC during the rebound chaos. 

Even the second drag flick is blocked by a rushing Rohidas. He is putting on a show and his home crowd is impressed. Loud roars for the Indian defender. He has been exceptional tonight has been Rohidas.

Dragons 1-0 Rudras

58' - PC, RUDRAS!

Just over two minutes left and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay puts all his experience to use and earns a PC after receiving the ball from Hardik Singh.

Dragons 1-0 Rudras

57' - Dragons on the charge

That goal seems to have just fired up the Tamil Nadu Dragons. They are eager to pile on the pressure on the Rudras as they sense a win. Relentless attacks and circle penetrations from Amit Rohidas and co. Rudras' defence is doing well to not let them score another.

Dragons 1-0 Rudras

55' - Karthi Selvam with a good run

Karthi Selvam with a good steal at the top of the circle and he goes on a run for the Tamil Nadu Dragons. But he is stopped in his track by the Rudras' defence before he poses any danger.

Dragons 1-0 Rudras

52' - Rudras miss PC!

Yet another penalty corner for the UP Rudras and I think it was Sam Ward with the drag flick this time. However it is a brilliant rush from Amit Rohidas, who just deflects the ball away and almost immediately jumps into the action to ensure that the Rudras don't have any real chance with the rebound.

Excellent from Rohidas!

Dragons 1-0 Rudras