Dragons rally to get the better of Royals

Tamil Nadu Dragons rallied to defeat Ranchi Royals via a penalty shootouts in their last round robin league fixture of the Hockey India League at the Kalinga Stadium here on Wednesday.

Following a 3-3 score in the regulation period, Dragons prevailed over Royals 4-2 in the tie-breaker to take its tally to 10 points and finished fifth. Royals managed the second spot with 12 points.

Royals had an electrifying start as they stunned Dragons with a burst of attacks and plundered a 2-0 lead within nine minutes.

The fast-paced Royals scored one of the fastest goals. Following fascinating moments of short goal-mouth passing, Mandeep Singh slotted one from the left to put Royals ahead in the 28th second.

Tom Boon-led Royals’ forward line built more pressure on Dragons with frequent circle entries and three more penalty corners. After taking the third corner flick, the sprightly 35-year-old hit high off the second rebound into the goal.

However, the script changed as Royals slowed down and Dragons had an upper hand in the second period. The yellow brigade held its nerve and controlled the game to initiate several forays. They reduced the margin in the 24th minute as Blake Govers sounded the board with a low flick.

Dragons’ persistence tested Royals’ defence, which conceded three short corners in a row in the 29th minute but managed to thwart those attempts.

Royals could not keep Dragons at bay for long as Karthi Selvam pushed in a Govers’ pass to level the scores shortly after the half-time.

Royals restored their lead sooner than later. After Lachlan Sharp earned a penalty stroke, captain Boon put it high past Dragons’ substitute keeper Prince Deep Singh. Govers’ second goal drew parity in the fourth quarter.

Dragons’ Nathan Ephramus, Govers, Uttam Singh and Tom Craig scored while Yashdeep Siwach and Maxime van Oost did so for the Royals in the tie-breaker.

The result: Ranchi Royals 3 (Mandeep Singh 1, Tom Boon 9-pc, 35-ps) drew with Tamil Nadu Dragons 3 (Blake Govers 24-pc, 53-pc, Karthi Selvam 32); Dragons won 4-2 in shootouts.