HIL | Harmanpreet, Vanasch break Pipers’ hearts in last-gasp win

Captain Harmanpreet Singh leads Soorma Club to victory with a brace in penalty shootout against Delhi SG Pipers.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh struck a brilliant brace as Soorma Club fought back to beat Delhi SG Pipers 3-1 in the penalty shoot-out in the Hockey India League at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium here on Monday.

Birthday boy Harmanpreet’s double penalty corner conversion levelled the scores 2-2 before the ever-reliable Vincent Vanasch asserted his class to thwart three Pipers strikers in the shoot-out and fetch Soorma a crucial bonus point.

Pipers controlled the match better in the first-half.

Pipers – served well by the omnipresent Jarmanpreet Singh calmly blocked and cleared Soorma’s attacks and ran up effortlessly to support his colleagues upfront – stayed ahead in terms of ball possession and circle entries apart from getting two penalty corners. However, Pipers’ finishing was not good enough before the half-time.

Soorma made some ineffective forays, while Vanasch guarded the post with confidence.

The hard-working Tomas Domene, who saw his attempts go in vain earlier, received a pass, went into the circle and outwitted Vanasch with his stickwork to draw first blood.

Soon after, the busy Jake Whetton unleashed a superb cross from outside the circle and Manjeet made it 2-0 with a diving deflection at the stroke of the final break.