The Impressive TimesRourkela, January 15, 2025: Team Gonasika secured a vital 2-1 victory over JSW Soorma Hockey Club at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium on Tuesday, keeping their hopes alive for a spot in the semifinals of the Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25.
Nilam Sanjeep Xess (33) and Lee Morton (59) found the back of the net for Gonasika, while Pawan Rajbhar (50`) scored for Soorma.
The match began cautiously, with both teams hesitant to commit too much early on. Team Gonasika had the first significant chance in the 12th minute when Lee Morton found space in front of goal after a strong pass from Mandeep Singh. Morton’s shot, however, was blocked by Soorma goalkeeper Mohith HS. A minute later, Soorma earned the first penalty corner of the game. Without Harmanpreet Singh, the drag flick duties fell to Nicolas della Torre and Jeremy Hayward. Della Torre’s flick was superbly blocked by Yashdeep Siwach at the post.
As the quarter neared its end, Gonasika won a penalty corner but Victor Charlet’s drag flick was saved by Mohith.
The second quarter mirrored the first, with neither side generating many clear-cut chances. Timothee Clement came closest for Gonasika in the 27th minute when Morton created an opportunity from the left, but Clement’s deflection went wide.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 33rd minute when Gonasika’s Mandeep Singh expertly reversed the ball to Nilam Sanjeep Xess, who was positioned on the goalline. Xess sent a pass to Araijeet Singh Hundal at the far post, but the ball deflected off a defender’s stick and found its way into the net.
The goal energized Gonasika, who piled on the pressure. Morton and Nikkn Thimmaiah led several attacks, but Soorma defended resolutely to stay in the game.
Soorma responded early in the fourth quarter, equalizing in the 50th minute thanks to Pawan Rajbhar’s quick reflexes. Nicolas Keenan won a free hit near the circle and took it quickly, catching the Gonasika defense off guard. Rajbhar pounced on the pass and slid the ball past Gonasika goalkeeper Oliver Payne.
The final five minutes of the match saw both teams raise their intensity. Soorma’s Gurjant Singh missed a golden chance to give his team the lead, sending Boris Burkhardt’s perfect pass high over the goal. At the other end, Morton tested Mohith from distance, but the goalkeeper was equal to the task.
Morton made no mistake in the 59th minute, giving Gonasika the lead. The British forward got to the ball at the post and expertly curled it past Mohith into the far corner.
Soorma, down to 10 players due to a green card, removed goalkeeper Mohith for an outfield player in a last-ditch attempt to equalize. However, Gonasika held on to secure the win. With the victory, Gonasika remain in seventh place in the standings with 7 points, while Soorma stay in fifth with 8 points.
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