Sudeep chrimako

The Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers: The Tamil Nadu Dragons came back from two goals down to secure a draw against the UP Rudras in a thrilling encounter in the men’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium. In the process, the Tamil Nadu Dragons secured their place in the semifinals at the UP Rudras’ expense.

Sudeep Chrimako (8`) and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (15`) scored for the UP Rudras while Jip Janssen (32`) and Thomas Sorsby (53`) scored for the Tamil Nadu Dragons. The UP Rudras won the penalty shootout 3-2 in sudden death to secure the bonus point.

It was a clash between the fourth and fifth-placed teams for the final place in the semifinals. The Tamil Nadu Dragons were fourth with 17 points with the UP Rudras fifth with 15 points. While a draw would have been enough to take the Dragons into the semifinals, the Rudras had to win tonight to finish in the top four. After an even start to the match, it was the UP Rudras who took the lead through a well-taken goal from Sudeep Chirmako in the eighth minute. Chirmako did well to trap James Albery’s pass before firing the ball past David Harte in the Tamil Nadu Dragons' goal.