De sloover

Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda: The Hyderabad Toofans delivered a commanding performance to defeat league leaders Tamil Nadu Dragons 4-0 in the Ranchi leg of the Hockey India League at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium on Saturday. The victory marked the Dragons’ first loss of the season.

Gonzalo Peillat (21’, 48’), Arthur de Sloover (31’), and Tim Brand (33’) scored for the Toofans, lifting their team to second place in the league standings with 13 points from seven matches, just behind the Dragons, who remain on top with 15 points.

The match started evenly, with both teams creating a few chances in the first quarter. The Dragons came close to scoring through a penalty corner, but Hyderabad goalkeeper Vikas Dahiya made a fine save to deny Blake Govers. The Toofans nearly broke the deadlock at the end of the quarter when Arthur de Sloover set up Maico Casella, but Tamil Nadu’s David Harte made a crucial save.