Delhi SG Pipers overcame a resilient Gonasika with a 4-2 shoot-out victory after their inaugural Hockey India League (HIL) match ended in a 2-2 draw during regulation time on Saturday.
Tomas Domene (5th, 39th minutes) scored twice for Delhi SG Pipers through penalty corners, while Struan Walker (26th) and Victor Charlet (35th) found the net for Gonasika.
Delhi started strongly, taking an early lead in the fifth minute when Domene’s powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner beat Gonasika goalkeeper Oliver Payne. Despite relentless efforts led by India international Manpreet Singh, Gonasika couldn’t equalise in the first quarter.
Their persistence paid off in the second quarter as Struan Walker capitalized on a rebound from Nikkin Thimmaiah’s flick hitting the upright, leveling the score in the 26th minute.
The match intensified after halftime, with Gonasika seizing the lead in the 35th minute as Victor Charlet delivered a thunderous drag-flick from a penalty corner. However, their advantage was short-lived, as Domene equalised four minutes later with a deft deflection.
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Delhi SG Pipers came close to regaining the lead in the final minute of the third quarter through another penalty corner, but Gonasika’s goalkeeper made two crucial saves to keep the match tied.
(With inputs from PTI)
