Kalinga Lancers leaned on experience, patience and midfield control to script a confident 4-2 comeback victory over Ranchi Royals in their opening fixture of the Hockey India League at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.
After being caught cold twice in a frenetic opening quarter, the Lancers steadied themselves through an international core in the middle of the park. Arthur Van Doren, Antoine Kina and Craig Marais gradually imposed order on the contest, helping the side wrest momentum away from a Royals team that began with pace and purpose.
Ranchi’s intent was clear from the outset. Just 40 seconds into the match, Jack Waller’s sharp pass found Araijeet Singh Hundal inside the circle, earning an early penalty corner. Tom Boon made no mistake, powering a dragflick into the top-right corner to hand the Royals the lead.
The response from the Lancers arrived six minutes later. Angad Bir Singh’s inventive 360-degree turn forced a defensive error, and Belgian defender Alexander Hendrickx converted from the resulting penalty corner to bring the scores level. The opening quarter became a lively exchange, complete with elaborate goal celebrations, before Ranchi struck again in the ninth minute. Mandeep Singh intercepted a loose pass, turned sharply and slipped the ball past goalkeeper Krishan Pathak to restore the Royals’ advantage.
While the Royals looked dangerous early, the Lancers struggled for composure in the attacking third. Cooper Burns came closest to equalising with a weaving run through the circle, only for Suraj Karkera to intervene. The breakthrough eventually came in the second quarter when Marais created space with a clever half-turn and squared for Gursahibjit Singh, who finished neatly at the far post.
From that moment, the contest tilted decisively. With Van Doren and Kina dropping deeper to dictate play, Kalinga enjoyed extended spells of possession and shut down Ranchi’s circle entries entirely in the second quarter. The pressure told in the 26th minute when Gursahibjit pounced on a loose ball from a goalmouth scramble, before Hendrickx struck again to give the Lancers a two-goal cushion.
Ranchi tried to claw their way back after the break, earning three quick penalty corners through a dazzling run by Ravneet Singh, but failed to convert. The final quarter followed a familiar pattern, with Kalinga controlling tempo and space, absorbing pressure and protecting their lead.
In the end, Ranchi’s explosive start was undone by Kalinga Lancers’ composure and midfield authority, setting the tone for a promising HIL campaign.
