On Sunday night (January 25), Ranchi Royals edged out Hyderabad Toofans by 3–2 in the Qualifier 2 of Men's Hockey India League 2025/26 (Men’s HIL 2025/26) to reach the Final, after Belgian star Tom Boon strengthened this season’s leading score with a hat-trick.
Australian Jacob Anderson provided an early lead for Hyderabad Toofans in Qualifier 2 with a field goal in the fifth minute. In the 13th minute, Tom Boon equalised the scoreline for Ranchi Royals after successfully converting the penalty stroke. Two minutes later, Boon provided the lead for Royals by 2–1 from a penalty corner, as the first quarter ended in Royals’ favour.
After no change in the second quarter, Boon put Royals 3–1 ahead in the scoreline from another penalty corner in the 34th minute. Amandeep Lakra reduced the lead from a penalty corner, as desperate Toofans made the scoreline 3–2 four minutes later. Toofans then earned some penalty corners, which they earned more than Royals, but failed to score at least one more goal.
On Monday night (January 26), Ranchi Royals will face Kalinga Lancers in the season finale. Lancers won both their fixtures against Royals this season, as they won by 4-2 in their league stage meeting, which was both teams’ season opener, and later, Lancers won by 2–1 in Qualifier 1.
Before the Final, HIL Governing Council and Hyderabad Toofans will face off in the third-place playoff, while Toofans won their previous meeting by 2–0 in the Eliminator.
Men’s Hockey India League 2025/26 (Men's HIL 2025/26): Ranchi Royals vs Hyderabad Toofans
Final Scoreline: 3–2
Shots: 0–2
Circle Entries: 19–25
Penalty Corners: 6–7
Penalty Strokes: 1–0
