The Men’s Hockey India League 2025/26 (Men’s HIL 2025/26) started in a thrilling and high-scoring way, as it required a shootout to bring a winner. Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons claimed a shootout victory against last season’s runners-up Hyderabad Toofans [3(4)-3(2)] in the tournament opener.
Dragons got a 2-0 lead before the first 10 minutes. After Uttam Singh scored a goal from a penalty corner in the fourth minute, English Tom Sorsby scored the field goal in the ninth minute. However, the first quarter ended with a 2-1 result, as Amandeep Lakra scored the first goal for Toofans in the 12th minute from their first penalty corner of the match.
Amandeep scored his second goal in the 18th minute from another penalty corner, as the second quarter ended with the 2-2 scoreline.
In the 32nd minute, Selvam Karthi scored the third goal for the Dragons, who regained their lead in the match from a field goal. Five minutes later, defender Arthur De Sloover equalised the scoreline with a field goal. The fourth quarter didn’t see a single goal, as the full-time ended with a 3-3 scoreline, while the match went into a shootout.
In the shootout, Michel Struthoff and Talwinder Singh missed for Hyderabad Toofans, while Tom Craig missed for Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons.
Men's Hockey India League 2025/26 (Men's HIL 2025/26): Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons vs Hyderabad Toofans
Final Scoreline: 3(4)–3(2)
Shots: 2–5
Circle Entries: 90–117
Penalty Corners: 5–5
