CHENNAI: Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons began their Men’s Hero Hockey India League campaign with a hard-fought bonus-point victory, defeating Hyderabad Toofans 4–2 in a penalty shootout after a 3–3 draw in regulation time at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. Goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh proved decisive in the shootout with two key saves, while Raheel Mohammed converted the winning attempt.
In regulation play, Uttam Singh, Thomas Sorsby and Karthi Selvam scored for the Dragons, while Amandeep Lakra struck twice and Arthur De Sloover added one for the Toofans.
The opening quarter set the tone for a high-tempo contest, with both sides attacking early. The Dragons struck first when Uttam Singh converted from a penalty corner in the fourth minute, scoring the first goal of the tournament. They doubled their lead five minutes later, as Sorsby drove into the circle and finished calmly to make it 2–0.
Hyderabad responded through Lakra, who powered home a penalty-corner strike in the 12th minute to reduce the deficit. The Toofans
carried that momentum into the second quarter and drew level when Lakra converted another thunderous effort from their second penalty corner in the 18th minute, leaving the sides tied 2–2 at half-time after an evenly contested spell marked by half-chances at both ends.
The Dragons regained the advantage early in the third quarter, with Karthi Selvam tapping in from close range after a well-constructed move initiated by Uttam Singh. The lead lasted only five minutes, as De Sloover found the target from a tight angle to make it 3–3. The Dragons mounted sustained pressure late in the quarter, but Hyderabad’s defence held firm.
With the match finely poised in the final quarter, both teams searched for a decisive goal. Dragons goalkeeper David Harte produced crucial saves from penalty-corner attempts to keep the scores level, and the contest eventually moved to a shootout.
In the tie-breaker, the Dragons held their nerve, converting four of their attempts to secure a 4–2 shootout win and open their campaign with a bonus point.