nextbet Hockey India League: Arshdeep Singh Brace Helps Hyderabad Toofans Trump UP Rudras 3-1

Hyderabad Toofans celebrate a goal against UP Rudras in the Hockey India League. Photo: Hockey India Hyderabad Toofans celebrate a goal against UP Rudras in the Hockey India League. Photo: Hockey India

Arshdeep Singh proved to be the match-winner for the Hyderabad Toofans as his brace propelled them to a comprehensive 3-1 victory against UP Rudras in their Men’s Hockey India League match in Rourkela on Saturday. (More Hockey News)nextbet

Arshdeep's two goals (28', 60’) came after Gonzalo Peillat scored the opener in the 25th minute, while Jobanpreet Singh (40’) pulled one back for UP Rudras.

Earlier, the Hyderabad Toofans won the game's first penalty corner via Rajinder Singh in the fifth minute. Peillat stepped up to the opportunity but could not find a way past the defence.

UP Rudras created a similar chance when Kane Russell fired a goal-bound flick but Mukul Sharma made a fine save on the goal-line. Soon after, Akashdeep Singh had an excellent chance to put UP Rudras ahead as he had just the goalkeeper to beat but failed to convert and the first quarter ended goalless.

Hyderabad Toofans broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when Peillat lived up to his reputation of being among the world's best dragflickers. His ferocious strike took a hit off James Mazarelo's left glove but that didn't stop the ball from finding the back of the net.

The Toofans doubled their lead in the 28th minute when Arshdeep scored a stunning goal. The 20-year-old showed great vision to steal the ball at the edge of the circle and then weaved past two defenders before smashing an unstoppable tomahawk to make it 2-0.

Holding on to a comfortable lead, Toofans pushed ahead for a third when Sam Ward's terrific stickwork saw him control an aerial ball and dribble his way into the box before earning a penalty corner.

The Toofans could not find a goal though as Mazarelo made a couple of clutch saves to keep his side in the game.

UP Rudras clawed their way back into the contest as a marvellous Jobanpreet goal gave them a lifeline. Russell's dragflick took a deflection, and Jobanpreet did well to bring the ball down before unleashing an astonishing slapshot that made it 1-2 in the 40th minute.

The Rudras thought they had the equaliser in the 50th minute when they opted for a penalty corner variation that saw Russell slip the ball to Tanguy Cosyns. The Belgian's strike beat the rushers and looked destined to find the top corner before Dominic Dixon made a fantastic diving save to keep the ball out.

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed his enthusiasm and stated: "This bilateral series against Germany will be a remarkable showcase of world-class hockey. Both India and Germany have a rich history in the sport, and this series will give fans an opportunity to witness an intense competition between two of the most formidable teams in the world.

"It is a great honour to be nominated for the FIH Player of the Year Award againnextbet," the Indian defender stated in a Hockey India release.