Haren
When Zach Wallace played a crossfield aerial ball from midfield, it seemed like just another attacking move on the hockey field at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Sunday night. But when the ball reached Argentina’s Maico Casella, it turned into one of the moments of the Hockey India League so far. Expertly controlling the aerial ball, Casella unleashed a shot on the volley that rocketed past Krishan Pathak in the Kalinga Lancers goal, from an angle so acute that it reminded one of Marco van Basten’s famous strike for Netherlands at Euro 1998.
It took the Lancers defence by surprise and helped Hyderabad Toofans on their way to an impressive 5-1 triumph against Kalinga Lancers. For Toofans, Gonzalo Peillat 6’ & 30’, Maico Casella 21’, Tim Brand 47’ and Arshdeep Singh 54’) in the Hero Men’s Hockey India League clash at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Sunday.
Kalinga Lancers got off to a dream start with Alexander Hendrickx showing his drag flick prowess. Their joy was short-lived as the Toofans struck back within a minute with another drag flicking ace Gonzalo Piellat firing home.
Maico Casella puts @HToofans 2-1 ahead with a beautiful finish!
Watch the LIVE coverage on DD Sports, Waves, Sony TEN 1, Sony TEN 3, Sony TEN 4 and Sony LIV!#HeroHIL #HockeyKaJashn #HockeyIndiaLeague #VEKLvsHYDT | @ddsportschannel | @WAVES_OTT | @HeroMotoCorp | @VidaDotWorld |… pic.twitter.com/e9heXT499l
— Hockey India League (@HockeyIndiaLeag) January 12, 2025
The Toofans took the lead in astounding fashion in the 21st minute when Casella scored one of the top contenders for the goal of the tournament. eillat struck his second goal via yet another delightful drag flick before half time as Toofans bounced back from a lacklustre start.
Tim Brand got on the scoresheet as he found the back of the net in the 47th minute to give Toofans a comfortable 4-1 lead. Despite the massive lead, the Toofans didn’t take their foot off the pedal and were rewarded with a fifth goal in the 54th minute. The Lancers had taken off their goalkeeper in search of goals and Arshdeep Singh made the most of that by looping the ball into an empty net. His overall play meant Arshdeep was named player of the match.
Thierry Brinkman hit the post twice on the night but the Toofans prevailed for a comfortable win, and moved up to second on the points table.
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