~Staff Gonasika beat Soorma Hockey Membership 2-1 of their Hockey India League match~
Rourkela, 14 January 2025: Staff Gonasika secured their second win of the Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 and saved their semi-finals hopes alive after beating JSW Soorma Hockey Membership 2-1 on the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Tuesday. Nilam Sanjeep Xess (33`) and Lee Morton (59`) scored the objectives for Staff Gonasika whereas Pawan Rajbhar scored JSW Soorma Hockey Membership’s solitary purpose.
Each side have been cautious of their strategy within the first quarter with not plenty of huge possibilities being created. It was solely in direction of the top of the quarter that both aspect got here near scoring. Within the twelfth minute, Staff Gonasika’s Lee Morton discovered himself in entrance of purpose after some good work by Mandeep Singh. Morton shot straight at Mohith HS within the Soorma Hockey Membership purpose.
A minute later, Soorma received the primary penalty nook of the match. With no Harmanpreet Singh on the sector, the drag flicking duties fell to Nicolas della Torre and Jeremy Hayward. Della Torre’s try was blocked beautifully by Yashdeep Siwach on the submit.
Within the closing minute, Gonasika received their first penalty nook of the match however Victor Charlet’s drag flick was saved properly by Mohith.
The second quarter was a equally cagey affair with neither goalkeeper examined. The largest probability of the quarter fell to Gonasika’s Timothee Clement within the twenty seventh minute. Morton did properly to create the possibility from the left goalline however Clement’s deflection hit the skin of the purpose.
After a goalless first half, the impasse was lastly damaged within the thirty third minute. Mandeep Singh held up the ball properly within the circle earlier than reversing it to Nilam Sanjeep Xess on the goalline. Xess performed the ball in direction of Araijeet Singh Hundal on the far submit however the ball deflected off a defender’s stick and into purpose.
The purpose proved to be the wind in Gonasika’s sails as they mounted assault after assault with Morton and Nikkn Thimmaiah significantly spectacular in assault. The Soorma did properly to deal with the assaults and keep within the match.
Soorma received the equaliser three minutes into the fourth quarter with Pawan Rajbhar showcasing his poaching abilities. Nicolas Keenan received a free hit on the best of the circle and he rapidly took it. The move caught the Gonasika defence off guard as Rajbhar poked the ball previous Oliver Payne in purpose.
There was a flurry of possibilities within the closing 5 minutes of the match as each groups upped the ante. Gurjant Singh missed a golden alternative to place Soorma forward when he despatched Boris Burkhardt’s pleasant move excessive above the purpose.
On the different finish, Mohith made a superb save to disclaim Morton from distance earlier than the Soorma defence mopped up the unfastened ball.
Morton deservedly received his purpose within the 59th minute to offer Gonasika the lead. The British participant received the ball on the submit and he curled the ball previous Mohith and into the far nook. Soorma, already all the way down to 10 gamers attributable to a inexperienced card, took off goalkeeper Mohith for an outfield participant.
Gonasika keep in seventh place within the factors desk with seven factors whereas Soorma keep in fifth with eight factors.