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HIL: UP Rudras win shootout but miss out on playoffs as Dragons advance

Tamil Nadu Dragons, earning a point from the shootout, secured their spot in the knockout stages.

HIL: UP Rudras win shootout but miss out on playoffs as Dragons advance
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Tamil Nadu Dragons (Photo credit: Hockey India League)
By

The Bridge Desk

Updated: 30 Jan 2025 3:28 AM GMT

UP Rudras won a nerve-wracking penalty shootout 3-2 against the Tamil Nadu Dragons after a 2-2 draw in regulation time, but despite the victory, their playoff hopes were dashed as they fell short of qualifying for the semifinals.

Tamil Nadu Dragons, earning a point from the shootout, secured their spot in the knockout stages, while Rudras were left to rue missed opportunities throughout the group stage.

The match started with UP Rudras taking command early on, with Sudeep Chirmako opening the scoring with a clinical one-touch goal in the first quarter, following a brilliant pass from Albery. They doubled their lead moments before the end of the first quarter with a well-executed penalty corner from Lalit Kumar.

However, the Tamil Nadu Dragons weren't out of the fight. After a more settled second quarter, they came alive in the third, with Jip Janssen pulling one back with a composed penalty corner conversion. The momentum shifted further in the fourth quarter when Thomas Sorsby scored a stunning field goal to level the score at 2-2, setting up a dramatic finish.

With no winner in regulation time, the game went into a penalty shootout. UP Rudras started the shootout with missed chances, but they found their rhythm, while Tamil Nadu Dragons missed two crucial attempts. The shootout ended 3-2 in favor of Rudras, but the Dragons' extra point from the shootout secured their passage to the semifinals.

Despite securing two points from the shootout win, UP Rudras were left heartbroken as they fell short of advancing to the knockout stage, having missed out on a semifinal spot due to their performance in earlier matches.

Final Score:

UP Rudras 2-2 Tamil Nadu Dragons (Rudras win shootout 3-2)

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