Hockey India League: HIL GC start off with a dramatic 3-2 win as Kane Russell scores the season’s first hat-trick

Kane Russell scored thrice with his drag flicks as HIL GC won a thriller in the final seconds. Credit: HIL

As he was fouled just outside the attacking circle at the end of one of his signature driving dribbles, Hardik Singh turned around and let out a roar that echoed around the largely empty Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium. When India junior team midfielder Ankit Pal suffered a rush of blood to commit a silly error, the HIL GC captain knew he had earned his side a last-minute shot at clinching three points as the match was level at 2-2 at this stage. After the first Penalty Corner routine broke down, Kane Russell stepped up for the retake and nailed yet another drag flick, low and powerful, to sound the backboard with a thud. HIL GC managed to snatch a late winner while SG Pipers were left to rue the mistakes that eventually cost them. Pipers, who finished last in the previous edition, continue to search for their first outright win in the tournament.

Ky Willott (31′) and Dilraj Singh (56′) scored for the Pipers, while Russell’s earlier strikes came in the 35th and 37th minute in a match where all five goals came in the second half. HIL GC – a team run by Hockey India League’s Governing Council after UP Rudras pulled out of the tournament a day before the auction – also had goalkeeper James Mazarelo to thank for some sensational saves while Hardik too had a stormer of a game in their midfield.

Pipers made a lively start and earned a penalty corner in the fourth minute, but they were unable to capitalise on the opportunity. HIL GC gradually settled into the contest and with less than five minutes remaining in the opening quarter, they earned a penalty corner, which also went unconverted. Second quarter was a bit more open as both sides created multiple scoring opportunities but it remained 0-0 at halftime.

Pipers would take the lead immediately after the restart when Willott collected a pass from Tomas Domene at the edge of the circle and delightfully lifted the ball over Mazarelo. The advantage, however, was short-lived as HIL GC responded strongly through Russell, who struck twice from penalty corners in quick succession to swing the momentum in his side’s favour.

Pipers began the fourth quarter on the front foot, making multiple circle entries but were thwarted by the brilliance of Mazarelo. He first stopped a 1v1 on goal after a defensive error saw Domene break clean through, then from resultant PCs, pulled off multiple saves. But with less than five minutes remaining, Pipers found a way back into the contest as Dilraj lifted into the net off the rebound from a penalty corner to bring his side level. Then, with a shootout imminent, Hardik and Russell combined in the last minute to ensure HIL GC bagged all three points.