Despite claiming a shootout win against Ranchi Royals, Tamil Nadu Dragons have been eliminated from the Men’s Hockey India League 2025-26 (Men’s HIL 2025-26). Meanwhile, the Ranchi Royals have secured their place in Qualifier 1, and the Hyderabad Toofans have ensured their spot in the Eliminator. So, the last league stage game, Soorma Hockey Club vs SG Pipers on Thursday (January 22), will confirm the remaining one place for the Eliminator, as only HIL Governing Council (11 points with +6 goal difference) and Soorma Hockey Club (8 points with -3 goal difference) are in the battle, as Soorma Hockey Club must have to win the last league game with making their goal difference better than HIL GC.
On Wednesday night (January 21), Tamil Nadu Dragons had a 3–3 full-time draw against Rancxhi Royals, and later Dragons won the shootout, while they had to win the game in the full-time with a better goal difference record to only stay in the competition.
In the first minute, Ranchi Royals got a 1–0 lead after Mandeep Singh scored a field goal. They claimed a 2–0 lead in the ninth minute, after the leading goal-scorer of the tournament, Belgian Tom Boon scored from a penalty corner.
In the 24th minute, Dragons opened their scoreline after Australian Blake Govers scored from a penalty corner.
In the 32nd minute, Dragons made the scoreline 2–2 after Karthi Selvam scored a field goal. In the 35th minute, Ranchi Royals regained the lead after Tom Boon successfully utilised the penalty stroke.
In the 53rd minute, Dragons once again equalised the scoreline, as Blake Grovers scored his second goal of the match from another penalty corner.
In the penalty shootout, Tamil Nadu Dragons scored all four of their attempts, while Ranchi Royals missed their first and third attempts, where Vishnukant Singh and Manpreet Singh, respectively, failed their chances.
Men’s Hockey India League 2025/26 (Men's HIL 2025/26): Tamil Nadu Dragons vs Ranchi Royals
Final Scoreline: 3(4)–3(2)
Shots: 8–8
Circle Entries: 36–28
Penalty Corners: 7–5
Penalty Strokes: 0–1
Men’s Hockey India League 2025/26 (Men's HIL 2025/26): Latest Points Table After Match 27
Rank | Team | Played | Won | SOW | SOL | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
1 | Kalinga Lancers | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 8 | +8 | 16 |
2 | Ranchi Royals | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 25 | 18 | +7 | 12 |
3 | Hyderabad Toofan Clubs | 7 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 11 | +6 | 11 |
4 | HIL Governing Council | 7 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 18 | +3 | 11 |
5 | Tamil Nadu Dragons | 7 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 19 | 22 | -3 | 10 |
6 | Shrachi Bengal Tigers | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 16 | 24 | -8 | 9 |
7 | Soorma Hockey Club | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 13 | -3 | 8 |
8 | SG Pipers | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 23 | -10 | 4 |
