Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers celebrate a goal against Hyderabad Toofans.Photo: Hockey India League Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers celebrate a goal against Hyderabad Toofans.Photo: Hockey India League

In a match befitting a final, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers pipped Hyderabad Toofans by a slender 4-3 margin to claim the Hockey India League 2024-25 title in Rourkela on Saturdayjb casino, February 1. (Highlights | More Hockey News)

Jugraj Singh netted a hat-trick, scoring in the 25th, 32nd and 35th minutes to end up as the league's top scorer. Gonzalo Peillat scored a brace for the Toofans, but it was Sam Lane's 54th-minute strike that proved decisive. All seven goals came off penalty corners in what played out as a veritable drag-flick fest.

With this victory, the Tigers also claimed the INR 3 crore prize money, while the Toofans received INR 2 crore for finishing as the runner-up.

CHAMPIONS! 🏆@srbt24 #HeroHIL #HockeyKaJashn #HockeyIndiaLeague #HILFinal #HIL @TheHockeyIndia @FIH_Hockey pic.twitter.com/wpIMpKTnF5

— Hockey India League (@HockeyIndiaLeag) February 1, 2025

It was a tense contest from the first whistle with both teams taking turns to probe the others’ defence. The Tigers employed aerial passes regularly, resulting in a penalty corner four minutes into the game but the Toofans withstood all three attempts on goal from Jugraj.

South Korea, meanwhile, are placed fourth in the standings with 6 points, with one win, three draws,th777 and one loss. They were surpassed by China, who secured 2 wins and as many points. Korea’s season began with a 5-5 draw against Japan, followed by a 2-2 draw with Pakistan, their first victory with a 3-2 win over China, 3-1 loss at the hands of India and a 3-3 draw against Malaysia in their final pool match.

Chen Benhai gave the hosts the lead with a fine field goal in the first quarter following an enterprising team move. But the highlight of the match was Chao Jieming's sensational solo effort in the second quarter.

The Toofans showed more initiative as the quarter progressed and earned a penalty corner of their own. And Peillat stepped up to flick the ball past Tigers’ goalie Jamie Carr to grant the Toofans a crucial lead halfway through the first quarter.

The Toofans continued to be on the front foot as the second quarter began while the Tigers remained relevant with occasional counterattacks. With six minutes left in the quarter, Abhishek earned a penalty corner for the Tigers and Jugraj powered the ball into the left corner with a thunderous drag flick and restored parity.

The Toofans responded by earning a penalty corner of their own in the next minute and Amandeep Lakra found the back of the net with a powerful flick to grant his team the lead again.

The Tigers slowed down the tempo to create a clear goal-scoring chance in the third quarter, resulting in a penalty corner. Jugraj picked out the left bottom corner with another powerful drag flick to beat Toofans’ keeper Bikramjit and level the scores again.

Soon after, from another penalty corner, Jugraj found the back of the net again with another drag flick to complete his hatt-rick and grant the Tigers the lead. The Toofans went on to peg the Tigers into their half minutes later and earned a penalty corner.

This time, Peillat picked out the bottom right corner to make it 3-3 with a lightning quick drag flick. They continued to trade chances as the quarter came to a close but neither team was able to seize the lead.

The Tigers began the last quarter on the front foot, earning a couple of penalty corners in quick succession but Tim Brand rushed out to avert any danger to his goal. After a period of careful probing, they earned another penalty corner and this time Sam Lane got on the scoresheet, beating Bikramjit with his flick and granting the Tigers the lead with six minutes left in the game.

The Toofans rushed ahead in search of an equaliserjb casino, resulting in yet another penalty corner but Carr swatted away Peillat’s shot on goal. The Tigers ran down the clock in the final minutes of the game and sealed their victory in the final.