Rupinder Pal’s brace help Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers sink Gonasika 2-1

Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers have gone on to take the top spot of the Hockey India League (HIL) after beating Gonasika on New Year’s Day. Rupinder Pal once again scored a brace as the Bengal Tigers comfortably went on to beat their opposition by a 2-1 margin.

Team Gonasika headed into the game after their opening match draw against Delhi SG Pipers. While the Delhi outfits controlled the game in patches it was the Bengal Team who reigned supreme. Rupinder Pal scored first from the penalty corner and then doubled his tally with a cool and calmly taken penalty.

Rupinder Pal seals spotlight with stunning brace

The Bengal outfits now are standing on the top spot of the standings basking in the glory of 2 wins from 2 games. Both teams won plenty of penalty corners but failed to convert their chances. The deadlock was ultimately broken in the 31st minute of the game.

The Bengal side now on their 6th penalty corner wanted a goal badly and Rupinder Pal gave his side the much-deserved lead. He took a brilliant shot at the goal and the entire Bengal team rejoiced. But Bengal’s lead lasted for bare seconds. On the restart, it was Gonasika who immediately responded.

Walker went on to pass it to Mandeep Singh who remained unmarked and put the ball into the net with a low hard shot. Both teams then tried hard to get the decider goal. But then early in the fourth quarter, it was Bengal who got the decisive goal of the game.

In the 48th minute. Abhishek won the penalty and Rupinder once again stepped up and with a cool bottom-corner finish, scored his second as well as his team’s. The Vizag team then tried hard but failed to make amends as the Bengal Tigers went home with all three points from the game.