HIL Semi-Final: Rarh Bengal Tigers beats Tamil Nadu Dragons – Highlights

Thanks for joining in

That's all we have from the first semi-final of the 2024-25 Hockey India League. The table toppers Rarh Bengal Tigers came from behind multiple times - twice in the regulation time - and then multiple times during the penalty shoot-out to force their way into the Final.

It was a heart breaking loss for the Tamil Nadu Dragons, who looked destined for a regulation time win before Sam Lane ruined their party.

They did have the lead in the shootouts as well but failed to close off the match. This had been their biggest issue off late in the league stages and that once again comes to bite them back.

Thank you for joining into our coverage. But the HIL action is not done yet. Catch all the LIVE action from the second semi-final between Soorma Hockey Club and Hyderabad Toofans here.

The table toppers @srbt24 are through to the Final of the #HockeyIndiaLeague with a thrilling win over @tndragonshockey in Semi-Final 1🔥

A thrilling match between the two sides in which the Tigers emerge with a 6-5 win on penalty shootout.@TheHockeyIndia @HockeyIndiaLeag pic.twitter.com/n5B8KTm7j0

— The Bridge (@the_bridge_in) January 31, 2025

James Carr is Player of the Match

Rarh Bengal Tigers' goalkeeper James Carr is Player of the Match

"We expected a tough game. These games come down to shootouts and got to emerge on top. Credit to the team for keeping me in it until the end."

BENGAL TIGERS WINNNNN!

Abhishek makes amends for his first miss. He has outfoxed David Harte and slotted the ball to the top of the net.

The table toppers Rarh Bengal Tigers are through to the final of the 2024-25 Hockey India League. Heartbreak for the Tamil Nadu Dragons. A classic case of so close yet so far for them.

Tigers win 6-5 in the shootout. 

James Carr denies Uttam Singh but the Dragon has asked for a review almost immediately. He feels there was a back stick there from the from Carr as he cleared the ball.

The TV umpire says there's no back stick.

THE TIGERS CAN GO THROUGH IF THEY SCORE NEXT!

The GOAL STANDS FOR TIGERS!

The replays show van Aubel had put the ball in before the hooter went off. But there's a check for back stick now.

Did he touch the ball with the back of the stick? No, he did not. THE GOAL STANDS!

5-5 after eight attempts!

We wait for the replays...

Nathan Ephraums, who had to score on demand in the fifth attempt but had missed, scores this time for the Dragons. 

Florent van Aubel has slotted in for the Tigers as well but the hooter seems to have gone off. Aubel is unsure of that. If the shot was taken after the hooter, the Dragons will go through.

Time for some replays...

The shootout will continue...

Blake Govers for the Dragons and the Australian doesn't miss this time. Easy peasy and the pressure is back on the Tigers now.

Sean Findlay also finds the net for the Tigers!

4-4 after seven attempts.

Both teams score again!

Ludwig Moritz draws Carr wide and then slots the ball in to score for the Dragons in the sudden death. Up to Harte to kill the match here.

Sukhjeet, once again, gets Harte off balance and he slots the ball in. We'll continue.

3-3 after six attempts each

We head into a sudden death

Sebastien Dockier misses for the Tigers and if the Dragons score next then they will be through.

Nathan Ephraums misses too for the Dragons. WE HEAD INTO A SUDDEN DEATH!

2-2 after five attempts apiece