Vedanta Kalinga Lancers continued its unbeaten run in the Men’s Hockey India League 2025-26 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Hyderabad Toofans at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.
The match was decided by a solitary goal from Alexander Hendrickx, whose well-taken drag-flick proved enough to separate two evenly matched sides in an intense contest that showcased tactical discipline and defensive resilience.
The opening quarter saw little to choose between the teams. Both sides registered four circle entries in the first 15 minutes, with Hyderabad enjoying slightly more possession. However, it was the Lancers who created the only clear chance on target in the quarter. Liam Henderson nearly gave his side an early advantage, but his effort was well saved by goalkeeper Jean-Paul Danneberg, ensuring the score remained level at the first break.
The tempo increased in the second quarter as both teams pressed higher up the pitch. Each side earned a penalty corner, but it was Hyderabad that dictated play for long periods. The Toofans recorded 12 circle entries compared to the Lancers’ seven, pinning their opponents back with sustained pressure. Despite this dominance, clear-cut chances were hard to come by. The Lancers came closest when Henderson unleashed a powerful shot that struck the post, denying them a lead in an entertaining first half that ended goalless.
Hyderabad resumed the second half in similar fashion, controlling possession and probing for gaps in the Lancers’ defence. Against the run of play, however, the breakthrough came for the Lancers. In the 40th minute, Hendrickx calmly converted from a penalty corner, his drag-flick beating the goalkeeper to register his fifth goal of the season.
With the lead secured, the Lancers shifted their approach. They focused on retaining possession and dropped into a deeper defensive shape toward the end of the third quarter, limiting Hyderabad’s attacking options.
The final quarter followed a familiar pattern, with Hyderabad seeing most of the ball but struggling to create meaningful chances. The Lancers, meanwhile, remained compact and dangerous on the counterattack, registering more shots despite spending less time in possession. Their disciplined defending paid off as Hyderabad failed to record a single attempt on goal in the final 15 minutes.
In the end, the Lancers comfortably saw out the match, reinforcing their unbeaten status and underlining their growing confidence in the Men’s Hockey India League.
