Nicolas bandurak

Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium: James Mazarelo put in a match-winning performance to set up a 3-1 win for the UP Rudras against the Kalinga Lancers in their Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 match at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium here on Monday. Despite trailing to a first-quarter goal from Enrique Gonzalez (13`), the UP Rudras secured a superb comeback win thanks to goals from Kane Russell (45`, 60`) and Sudeep Chirmako (50`).

It was the UP Rudras who set the tempo early in the first quarter with captain Hardik Singh dictating play from the heart of midfield. Though they had more circle penetrations than the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, the UP Rudras forward line did not test Krishan Bahadur Pathak in goal. The Vedanta Kalinga Lancers finally found their rhythm midway through the quarter with English forward Nicolas Bandurak proving to be a menace for the UP Rudras defence with Arthur van Doren also having a crack at goal.

Kalinga Lancers duly took the lead in the 13th minute with a clinical move down the right flank. Sanjay made a run down the right channel and found the young Boby Singh Dhami on the goalline. Dhami threaded the Rudras defence to find Enrique Gonzalez who gave his side the lead with a first-time finish. The Kalinga Lancers could have gone into the second quarter with a three-goal lead but for some good goalkeeping by Mazarelo. The English goalkeeper first kept out Alexander Hendrickx’s drag-flick before saving follow-up attempts from Partap Lakra and Thierry Brinkman.