JSW Soorma Hockey Club Secures First Win in Hockey India League 2026
Soorma Triumphs Over HIL Governing Council
Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], January 16: In a decisive match at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Hockey Stadium, JSW Soorma Hockey Club celebrated their inaugural victory in the Hockey India League 2026 (Men's) by defeating HIL Governing Council (GC) with a score of 3-1.
The team's captain, Harmanpreet Singh, showcased his skills by scoring twice (15', 38'), complemented by a goal from Gurjant Singh (27'). HIL GC's Kane Russell managed to net a single goal, bringing his total to 10 goals, tying him with Tom Boon as the league's top scorers. Despite the defeat, HIL GC remains in the upper tier of the points table.
Soorma's strong performance kicked off in the first quarter, where they earned a penalty corner just before the first hooter. With Harmanpreet Singh, known for his exceptional drag-flicking abilities, they converted the penalty corner effortlessly.
In the following quarter, HIL GC attempted to respond with aggressive plays led by their captain, Hardik Singh, but failed to find the back of the net. Gurjant Singh made a remarkable play in the 27th minute, driving into the circle from the left and executing a precise shot that easily beat goalie James Mazarelo, extending Soorma's lead to 2-0. This pressure led to Kane Russell receiving a green card for a hard tackle in the 30th minute.
Starting the third quarter with only 10 players, HIL GC faced an uphill battle. They conceded another penalty corner in the 38th minute, which Harmanpreet converted, bringing the score to 3-0. Although Kane Russell scored in the 44th minute from a penalty corner, it was insufficient to close the gap. Soorma maintained their dominance throughout the match, achieving 27 circle penetrations and seven shots on goal, compared to HIL GC's 19 circle entries and four shots.
Gurjant Singh, named Player of the Match, expressed his joy over the victory, stating, “After previous losses and a shoot-out win, we knew today was crucial. It was a must-win game, and it was a total team effort. We aim to maintain this momentum in our upcoming matches, as every game from now on is essential for us.”