Dragons Soar in Chennai as Accord Tamil Nadu Edge Past JSW Soorma 3–2 in Men’s HIL Thriller
Chennai, January 6, 2026:
The Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium once again witnessed a pulsating night of top-tier hockey as Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons clinched a hard-fought 3–2 victory over JSW Soorma Hockey Club in Match #5 of the Men’s Hero Hockey India League 2026. Backed by a passionate home crowd, the Dragons showcased composure, tactical discipline and attacking flair to register their second consecutive win of the campaign.
The opening quarter set the tone for what would become a fiercely contested affair. Both teams adopted a cautious approach, testing each other’s defensive structures and probing for gaps in midfield. JSW Soorma, led by India captain Harmanpreet Singh, attempted to dominate possession, while the Dragons looked sharp on the counter, with Uttam Singh and Selvaraj Kanagaraj combining well on the flanks.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 28th minute, when Selvaraj Kanagaraj capitalised on sustained pressure inside the circle. Reacting quickest to a loose ball, he fired a precise field goal past the Soorma goalkeeper to give the Dragons a deserved 1–0 lead. The goal lifted the tempo inside the stadium, and the home side immediately pressed for more.
Their aggression paid dividends just two minutes later. In the 30th minute, Uttam Singh doubled the advantage with a composed finish following a slick team move, sending the home fans into raptures and handing the Dragons a commanding 2–0 lead at halftime.
JSW Soorma emerged with renewed intent after the interval, increasing the intensity of their press and pushing their midfield higher up the pitch. Their persistence was rewarded in the 45th minute when forward Maninder Singh found space inside the circle and calmly slotted home a field goal to make it 2–1, breathing new life into the contest.
However, any hopes of a complete turnaround were quickly dashed. The Dragons responded almost immediately, demonstrating their growing maturity as a unit. In the 47th minute, Australian international Blake Govers showcased his clinical finishing ability, restoring the two-goal cushion with a powerful strike that left the Soorma defence scrambling.
With the scoreline reading 3–1, the Dragons appeared firmly in control, but JSW Soorma were not ready to surrender. As the clock ticked into the final quarter, the visitors threw bodies forward, earning a crucial penalty corner in the 58th minute. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh stepped up and executed a trademark drag-flick to reduce the deficit to 3–2, setting up a tense final two minutes.
The closing stages were frantic, with Soorma launching wave after wave of attacks. Yet, the Dragons’ defence stood tall, marshalled superbly by goalkeeper David Harte, who made a series of vital interventions to preserve the slender lead and secure all three points for his side.
The victory strengthens Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons’ position in the league standings and reinforces their status as early contenders for the knockout spots. For JSW Soorma Hockey Club, the defeat will sting, but the spirited second-half display offers plenty of positives as they look to bounce back in upcoming fixtures.
As the Men’s Hero Hockey India League continues to thrill fans in Chennai, the Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons’ emphatic home performances have already established them as one of the most exciting teams to watch this season.
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