Vedanta Kalinga Lancers defeated Ranchi Royals 4-2 in their Men’s Hockey India League opener at Chennai. Alexander Hendrickx and Gursahibjit Singh scored twice each, while Tom Boon and Mandeep Singh netted for Royals. Lancers defended strongly to secure victory

Chennai: Vedanta Kalinga Lancers claimed a 4-2 victory over Ranchi Royals in the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium on Sunday. Alexander Hendrickx (7′, 28′) and Gursahibjit Singh (16′, 26′) scored for Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, while Tom Boon (1′) and Mandeep Singh (9′) netted for Ranchi Royals.

Ranchi Royals made a perfect start, scoring in the first minute through Tom Boon’s powerful dragflick from a penalty corner. They dominated possession early, but Vedanta Kalinga Lancers equalised in the seventh minute when Belgian drag-flick specialist Alexander Hendrickx converted a penalty corner.

Two minutes later, Ranchi Royals regained the lead as Vishnukant Singh’s incisive pass set up Mandeep Singh for a fine finish. In the 13th minute, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers tried a penalty corner variation but Rosan Kujur’s attempt narrowly missed.

The Lancers began the second quarter strongly with Craig Marias setting up Gursahibjit Singh for a diving finish in the 16th minute. Singh struck again in the 26th minute, poaching a goal after Dilpreet Singh’s clever play. Hendrickx added another in the 28th minute from a penalty corner, giving the Lancers a 4-2 lead at half-time.

In the third quarter, Ranchi Royals dominated possession and won three consecutive penalty corners in the 42nd minute, but the Lancers defended resolutely. At the other end, Cooper Burns was denied by Royals’ goalkeeper Suraj Karkera.

The final quarter was tightly contested, but Vedanta Kalinga Lancers held firm in defence to secure victory and begin their Men’s HIL campaign on a positive note.