Hockey
HIL Semi-Final: Rarh Bengal Tigers beats Tamil Nadu Dragons – Highlights
Highlights from the first semi-final of the Hockey India League between Rarh Bengal Tigers and Tamil Nadu Dragons.
Rarh Bengal Tigers (Photo credit: Hockey India)
HIL Highlights: The table toppers Rarh Bengal Tigers overcame the Tamil Nadu Dragons 6-5 in a tense penalty shootout to book their spot in the final of the 2024-25 Hockey India League at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Friday.
The Tigers came from behind twice in the regulation time to force a shootout before following the trend in there as well.
Nathan Ephraums and Karthi Selvam scored for the Dragons, whereas as Pardeep Singh Sandhu and Sam Lane found the net for the Tigers.
Tigers goalkeeper James Carr was named Player of the Match for his exploits in the shootout.
Highlights:
Live Updates
- 31 Jan 2025 1:18 PM GMT
HALF TIME!
A thrilling second quarter with both teams scoring once apiece. Though the Tamil Nadu Dragons scored first, thanks to Mohammed Raheel and Nathan Ephraums, but the Rarh Bengal Tigers were never on the back foot.
In fact, its the Tigers who called the shots for most of the second quarter and it was the Tigers, who created more chances. They were eventually rewarded late in the half, with Sandhu finding the net.
Tigers 1-1 Dragons
- 31 Jan 2025 1:15 PM GMT
30' - TIGERS EQUALISE!
The Tamil Nadu Dragons are playing a high press as they penetrate the circle. However, the Rarh Bengal Tigers intercept and create a counter attack off it.
The ball finds Abhishek, who continues his run, and all of a sudden David Harte is on a 1v2 against the Tigers forward. The goalkeeper comes charging down to steal the ball from Abhishek, who selflessly passes it to Pardeep Singh Sandhu.
With the goalkeeper already beaten and no defenders in sight, the only thing Sandhu has to do is tap the ball into an empty goal. He does so with ease. The Tigers have equalised with 10 seconds left in the first half.
Tigers 1-1 Dragons
- 31 Jan 2025 1:07 PM GMT
25' - Tigers miss PC
A soft penalty corner conceded by the Dragons for intercepting the ball before 5m after restarting play. The Tigers once again try a variation but this time the Dragons defence is prepared.
Amit Rohidas is out of the goal post from a flash. He smartly slows down on sensing the variation and intercepts the shot cleanly before clearing it away.
Tigers 0-1 Dragons
- 31 Jan 2025 1:03 PM GMT
22' - Good defence from Amit Rohidas
A good steal from the Bengal Tigers right outside the circle and they create a dangerous move from the left. The ball goes past David Harte, who is looking to cut down the angle.
The goalkeeper, for a moment, has no idea where the ball is but skipper Amit Rohidas intervenes at the right time. Intercepts the ball at the goal line and helps his team in clearing it.
The fact that there was no Tigers forward present there to pile on immediate pressure helped.
Tigers 0-1 Dragons
- 31 Jan 2025 1:00 PM GMT
18' - DRAGONS SCOREEE!
Brilliant from Mohammed Raheel and he has helped the Tamil Nadu Dragons to a lead in the semi-final.
He gets the ball at the top of the circle and goes around the defence from the right before crossing the ball in. By this time Nathan Ephraums has reached in front of the goal and he deflects the ball past James Carr.
The Tamil Nadu Dragons have scored early in the second quarter. This is exactly what they had done the last time they went up against the Tigers.
Tigers 0-1 Dragons
- 31 Jan 2025 12:55 PM GMT
END OF FIRST QUARTER!
That miss from the Tigers also brings an end to an exciting first quarter. The Tigers had better chances compared to the Dragons but neither teams were able to trouble the scorers.
Both goalkeepers - James Carr and David Harte - made a save each off penalty corners to ensure that the ball doesn't thud into the net.
Tigers 0-0 Dragons
- 31 Jan 2025 12:54 PM GMT
15' - PC MISSED, Tigers!
Once again some good work inside the circle from Abhishek and he earns another penalty corner for the Bengal Tigers.
The first drag flick from Jugraj Singh hits a rushing Amit Rohidas, handing the Tigers a second. They try a variation with the second attempt and the Dragons defence is surprised as Jugraj pulls the ball back and hands it to Gauthier Boccard.
Boccard takes the shot, but it is off target.
Tigers 0-0 Dragons
- 31 Jan 2025 12:50 PM GMT
14' - SAVE, HARTE!
A penalty corner for the Rarh Bengal Tigers - their first of the match - and Jugraj Singh is right on target.
He, however, can't beat David Harte, who stretches his left arm to parry the ball away. The rebound is taken by the Tigers but the shot is wide of the near post.
Tigers 0-0 Dragons
- 31 Jan 2025 12:49 PM GMT
12' - Sukhjeet takes a blow to his face
The Rarh Bengal Tigers drill a ball into the circle along the ground and it takes a deflection off a stick and hits Sukhjeet Singh flush on his face. He is in pain and the cameras show he is bleeding from the nose.
The Tigers feel the ball deflected to Sukhjeet's face off a defender's stick but the umpire feels it was Sukhjeet pulling the ball in himself and hands a free hit to the Dragons.
Some discussions on field but the Tigers decide against taking a review.
Tigers 0-0 Dragons
