Victor charlet

Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium: Delhi SG Pipers triumphed 4-2 in the shoot-out over Gonasika after a 2-2 draw in the Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 season got off to a thrilling start at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium here on Saturday. Tomas Domene (5`, 39`) scored for Delhi SG Pipers while Struan Walker (26`) and Victor Charlet (35`) scored for Gonasika in regulation 60 minutes.

Argentina’s Domene scored the first goal of the HIL 2024-25 season in the fifth minute. Delhi SG Pipers captain Jake Whetton won possession high up the pitch and dribbled his way into the Gonasika circle before winning a penalty corner off Dipsan Tirkey. Domene rifled his drag flick into goal with goalkeeper Oliver Payne barely getting any time to react. Gonasika slowly found their rhythm as the first quarter went on and came close to equalising towards the end. Captain Manpreet Singh played a one-two with Jack Waller but failed to connect with the ball in front of goal.

Gonasika pressed hard for an equaliser and deservedly got it four minutes from the end of the second quarter. Araijeet Singh Hundal hit a powerful shot hoping to catch Delhi SG Pipers goalkeeper Benjamin Rennie off at the near post. The shot took a slight deflection off Gonasika forward Nikkin Thimmaiah’s stick and crashed onto the post. Rennie was caught off guard by Scotland’s Walker tapping the ball into the empty goal.